Humor relieves stress and anxiety and prevents depression, helping put our troubles in perspective. Laughter can help boost the immune system, increase pain tolerance, enhance mood and creativity, and lower blood pressure, potentially improving treatment outcomes for many health problems. Humor may also be related to happiness, which has been linked to high self-esteem, extroversion, and feeling in control.
Several yoga studios now offer “Laughter Yoga.” This is a practice that combines unconditional laughter with yogic breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can laugh for no reason without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness that soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
The next time you have a moment to yourself and no one is around…laugh like nobody is listening or watching and allow the happiness to flow.
The "WELLness Blog" features healthy living tips and ideas from The Well Spa at Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells.
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