Share

Laugh your stress away!

Two new studies have confirmed that laughter reduces stress levels and increases productivity.  In the USA tests 2-3 months later. Researchers measured self efficacy, a term used to describe a group of twelve characteristics that reflect overall work effectiveness. Participants' self-competency scores more than doubled, relational competencies increased by almost 50 percent and role competency also doubled during the study.

All participants improved from being classed as 'having potential for growth and development' before the laughter sessions to 'company assets with enhanced abilities who can perform under stress'. The improvements remained significant in further tests 2-3 months later.

A second study in India showed a significant decrease in stress levels reflected in reduced heart rate and blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels and an 11 percent decrease in perceived stress levels. Other indicators confirmed that all participants showed significantly lower stress levels after three weeks of laughter sessions and were better able to cope with ongoing stress.

The founder of Laughter Yoga, Dr. Kataria says "These studies provide solid evidence of the benefits of introducing laughter sessions in a corporate environment. Leading companies around the world are starting to provide laughter sessions as a means to improve sales and productivity and reduce stress. It makes the workplace a happier place, and that translates to better company performance."

Find out more at www.laughteryoga.org

No classes in your area? Spend time doing something you love that makes you laugh. Watch funny movies, tickle someone or play with a child or a pet.

More Reasons to Laugh

New research suggests repetitive laughter can affect hormones in the same way that exercise does. A preventive care specialist and researcher at Loma Linda University, Dr. Berk presented his findings this week at the 2010 Experimental Biology conference in Anaheim, California.

"It's not rocket science that exercise is good for you," Berk said. "It adds years to your life."

Berk acknowledged the sample size of 14 is small. Major sources of research dollars such as the National Institutes of Health do not fund projects that examine issues such as laughter, so these studies tend to be smaller, he said.The topic needs further research, he said.

"The reality is laughter is good for you," Berk said. "It makes us feel good. The dopamine is there. A merry heart is good medicine. There is plenty of other data to support that."

Dr. Michael Miller, director of the Center of Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, recommends laughter as part of a heart healthy program for patients.

"When you laugh for 15 minutes, the increase in the diameter of the blood vessel is similar to what you get when you run, jog or do aerobic-like activity," he said.

A 2005 study by Miller found that laughter caused the tissue in the inner lining of blood vessels, known as endothelium, to expand allowing more blood flow."It opens the blood vessel up and prevents platelets from clumping. It has a lot of heart-protective characteristics," he said.

Another study conducted by Miller in 2009 compared responses from 150 people who had suffered heart problems and another 150 who didn't. The results showed that those who had suffered heart attacks or bypass surgery were less likely to find humor in everyday life and felt more hostility.