Laughing is no laughing matter

Laughing makes us healthier – it's a quantifiable scientific fact.

Consider that laughter boosts levels of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and suppresses levels of epinephrine, the stress hormone.

Studies show the physiological effects of laughter in the immune system include an increase in the number and activity of natural killer cells, which attack viruses, foreign cells and cancer cells.

Jovial laughter has also been shown to exercise the cardiovascular system by raising and lowering the heart rate and blood pressure; improve coordination of brain functions, thereby enhancing alertness and memory; lift depression and reduce stress, bring pain relief, aid ventilation and clear mucus in the respiratory system.

Evidently, laughter provides a host of happy chemicals for the body.

Twenty seconds of rolling with laughter gives the heart the same workout as three minutes of hard rowing.

Some hospitals have even instituted “humor rooms' to encourage patients to laugh. Rooms with comedy carts full of costumes and gag props along with visits from clowns.

In one study tears of joy and the tears of sorrow were found to consist of completely different chemical compositions. This mind-body connection is technically referred to as “psychoneuroimmunology,” or PNI.

Candace Pert, a neuroscientist, pioneered research on how chemicals in our bodies form a dynamic network of communication between mind and body. In Pert's book, “Molecules of Emotion,” she tells us that every part of our immune system is connected to the brain in some way.

It can be documented that once we perceive something, we have an emotional reaction which causes real physiological effects on our bodies.

 Pert writes on her website, “Consciousness is like light - emotions exist both as energy and matter in the vibrating receptors on every cell in the body.” Pert explains how humans are “hard-wired for bliss,” a concept that also takes us on a journey into the Law of Attraction, a term used to describe the universal laws that govern our planet. “Like attracts like” is the Law of Attraction's mantra and asserts that we bring into our lives what we dominantly focus on or think about.

Always thinking you won't get that new car or great job? According to the law of attraction, you probably won't get it then.

Focusing on the 'lack'  in your life or things you don't want, according to this universal law, only brings you more of what you don't want.  The idea is to stay  appreciative of what you do have, while thinking about what you desire. "Fake it till you make it" applies here.

 Nationally recognized in the field of holistic health, Deepak Chopra, maintains that our body is a 3-D projection of our current state of mind. The slightest shift of mood is picked up by every cell, which means you do not think with your brain alone – all 50 trillion cells in your body actively share your thoughts. Chopra accepts that we are a constantly flowing river of intelligence.

In Chopra's CD tape series, “Magical Mind, Magical Body,” he explains how to master this mind-body connection.

And to futher prove that laughing brings some serious health benefits, a physician from India, Dr. Madan Kataria, launched the “Laughing Club.” What started with only a handful of people has since grown to more than 6,000 Social Laughter Clubs in more than 60 countries. Kataria is the founder of Laughter Yoga, which combines unconditional laughter with yoga breathing or Pranayama.

Kataria contends the body cannot differentiate between real laughing or 'fake' laughing so we benefit either way.

 You'd have to drive to Pittsburgh for the only Laughing Club in Pennsylvania but you can participate online for free. For more information visit their website at, www.laughteryoga.org.

For local yoga classes, please see the Warminster Recreation Center's website,

http://www.my-registrar.com/warminster/

Warrington resident and Level 2 Reiki practitioner, Lynda Bianchini, knows first hand the impact emotions and thoughts have on the human body. Bianchini states, “I believe thoughts create things and the more positive our outlook is on life, the healthier we are.”

She said the people coming to her for healing have some type of emotional block that has turned into a physical problem.

Bianchini works with Dr. Phyllis Bucci of the Holistic Apothecary in Ambler. For additional information about Reiki or other holistic healing approaches, visit www.holistic-Apothecary.net.

So go ahead – laugh at nothing, your body doesn't know the difference. And since laughing is contagious, why not start an epidemic!