Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hasya (Laughter) Rasa

The greatest of all miracles is health. Every day our bodies are attacked by millions of microbes, viruses and bacteria. The body is able to repulse these invaders and protect itself. This mechanism is called the immune response. The body’s immune response is enhanced by laughter.

Laughter is like internal jogging. It fills your mindspace with positive emotions. Emotionally it is relaxing, reducing harmful muscle tension. Endorphins and serotonin flow into the blood, resulting in a peaceful happy state of mind. A good bout of laughter also reduces the levels of stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol.

Laughter strengthens the immune system:

Our immune system plays a very important role in keeping good health and keeping away infections, allergies and cancers. It has been proved by psycho-neuro-immunologists that all negative emotions like anxiety, depression or anger weaken the immune system of the body, thereby reducing its fighting capacity against infections. According to Dr Lee S Berk from Loma Linda University, California, USA, laughter helps to increase the count of natural killer cells (NK cells―a type of white cell) and also raises the antibody levels. Researchers have found that after laughter therapy there is an increase in antibodies (immunoglobulin) in asthmatics. Laughter does the same job, more easily and almost free of cost.

Mucus in the nose and respiratory passages is believed to have protective capacity against some viruses, bacteria and other micro organisms. There are many members of Laughter Clubs who have noticed that the decrease in frequency of common colds, sore throats and chest infections amongst their members. The effect of laughter on our immune system is considered to be very significant in regard to deadly disease like AIDS and Cancer.

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