Laughter, the stressbuster
Even in the toughest of times, a healthy dose of humour can make things seem easier to bear
The comedy icon Charlie Chaplin once said “to truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it.” In these times of widespread fear and uncertainty, it’s perhaps more crucial than ever to recognise and hold on to the lighter side of life. A dose of laughter is considered the best medicine even in the worst of times.
“Heightened stress magnifies the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, and weakens the immune system. Having a good sense of humour is an excellent way to relieve stress and anxiety and bring back a sense of normalcy during these turbulent times,” explains Dr Namita. Consultant Psychologist.
Laughter releases nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes and boosts blood vessel health, which reduces blood pressure and decreases chances of clotting. “An epidemiological study of older men and women in Japan confirmed that those who tend to laugh more have a lower risk of major cardiovascular illness.”
Possessing a healthy sense of humour is also associated with living longer, according to a study in Norway, although the correlation appears to be stronger for women than for men,” the doctor says.
Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates the heart and lungs and gives you that much required relaxed feeling even in turbulent times. In the long term, it improves your mood, as also the immune system. All you need to do is laugh out loud!
KIND HUMOUR
Paul Osincup, the president of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humour, suggests, “Write down all of the most difficult and annoying things about quarantine. Play with those. See if you can find any humour in your situation.” “There are different kinds of humour. You can’t joke about a holocaust. So the message has to be 80% kindness and 20% humour. You need to establish caring first,” says Ritu Vasu Primlani an Indian stand-up comedian and environmentalist.
MANY-SIDED BENEFITS
Doctors prescribe “one good belly laugh a day.” It’s not just going “ha, ha”, but a deep physiological laugh that elicits tears of joys and relaxation. Sophie Scott, a neuroscientist at University College London, says laughter has been shown to reduce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, and increase the body’s uptake of feel-good endorphins.
Says Akram Feroze, Theatre Director/Actor and Stand-Up Comedian,
“The pandemic has not only led to the tragic human loss which can’t be compensated, but also to loss of livelihoods for many. And many are reeling under anxiety, mental breakdowns and depression. It is important to find small digital groups which can bring in a sense of hope and togetherness. Laughter helps us unwind all the clusters of random sad thoughts around us.” He adds that it brings people together and doesn’t let us feel lonely and lose hope. “We need to cheer and support each other as much as possible. These are hard times but this shall pass too,” he says with confidence. According to a research conducted by Dr. Gurinder Singh Bains of
According to a research conducted by Dr. Gurinder Singh Bains of Loma Linda University, laughter has cognitive benefits too. Watching a funny video was linked to improved short-term memory in older adults and an increased capacity to learn. Humour and tragedy may be more intimately connected than one would think. So, on this world laughter day, let us laugh heartily and be healthier!
— Dr NAMITA SINGH, Consultant
Psychologist
It is important to find small digital groups which can bring in a sense of hope and togetherness.
Laughter helps us unwind all the clusters of random sad thoughts around us
— AKRAM FEROZE, Theatre Director/Actor and Stand-Up
Comedian
You can’t joke about a holocaust. So the message has to be
80% kindness and
20% humour. You need to establish caring first,”
— RITU VASU PRIMLANI, an Indian
stand-up comedian and environmentalist
Loma Linda University, laughter has cognitive benefits too. Watching a funny video was linked to improved short-term memory in older adults and an increased capacity to learn. Humour and tragedy may be more intimately connected than one would think. “So, on this world laughter day, let us laugh heartily and be healthier,” says Dr Namita.