It is always said that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter promotes the sense of well beings and a positive feeling inside the mind. This boosts up the level of confidence in an individual manifold. That is why, laughter is considered by the majority of the population as one of the best therapies. While this is the argument put forward by those who support this notion, there is another group of individuals who oppose it by saying that laughter cannot create medical miracles and it is some mere coincidences when people associate laughter with healing. Hence, the argument here is that how true is the statement that laughter is actually the best medicine?
Laughter is the magical healer
Numerous studies and medical researches on the importance of laughter suggest that laughter is really beneficial for human beings. Here are some of its benefits:
1. It increases the immunity level
The extreme tension, anxiety and rush in the recent times keeps people stressed and traumatized. This weakens the mind and spurs up the chances of lifestyle disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiac problems, etc. Thus, the immune capacity of the body weakens as a consequence, making the system vulnerable to infections. But, laughter is a great stress reliever that combats these diseases and strengthens the immunity.
2. Improvement in blood circulation
A study carried out in the Maryland University has found that being in tense and traumatized situation for a longer time prevents the regular and normal circulation of blood throughout the body. But, on the other hand, a light hearted atmosphere that arouses hearty laughter promotes regular blood flow through the veins.
3. Reduction in blood sugar level
Further researches on the relationship of laughter on the conditions of human health also found out that those who laugh more and remain in a happy environment can decrease their elevated level of glucose in blood faster as compared to those in serious and stern atmosphere, keeping all other things constant.
4. Benefits as physical workout
Laughter involves some of the significant physical workouts too. It leads to the stretching and releasing of quite a number of facial muscles, along with the exercise of the diaphragm, abdominal muscles and the cardiac muscles, all of which are beneficial for healthy living.
5. Reduction in weight
It is very surprising to know that people who laugh more have lesser chances of getting obese. The reason behind this is that they possess lesser tendency of over eating, depression, feeling of loneliness, etc. which are the chief causes of weight gaining.
6. Feeling of socialization
Keeping oneself aloof and alienated might often lead to psychological problems, like depression, trauma, frustration, etc. If not tackled properly, it can be so intense that it can make the sufferer suicidal. A best and simplest way to get out of such a situation is to socialize, which can be set effectively with laughter. It helps to connect with people.
Laughter can have risks
1. Can cause choking and immediate death
There are views that advocate that laughter is not healthy every time as it can involve certain accidental health hazards too. Laughing too much with something inside the mouth can cause choking and immediate death.
2. Some patient could find it extremely offensive
Laughter therapy might not have the same implication and result for every patient. While some might find a thing funny, another one can question the integrity of the skilled therapist involved in the act as well and might find the whole thing extremely offensive or ridiculous. Such a situation may be detrimental for health too, causing aggravated blood pressure, stress, depression, anger, etc. Therefore, instead of doing good it will have a totally negative impact.
3. Might not suite a patient suffering from a particular disease
Moreover, the mental and physical state of a patient suffering from a particular disease might not be suitable always to participate in a laughter therapy. These are the circumstances where the effectiveness of laughter as a best medicine is questioned.
The bottom line
Since the beneficial aspects of laughter are much greater in comparison to the negative aspects, so it is gaining immense importance among the medical community in the current scenario. The lack of side effects but at the same time the miraculous effect offered by this unique therapy is thought to create wonders in situations that are beyond the control of medical world. But the evaluation of laughter as the best medicine still awaits concrete identity as some patients who are almost dying cannot respond to this treatment, neither can this therapy be applied for every patient and every disease. Only time can judge the truthfulness of this statement and its establishment as a popular and natural method of treatment.
