WHAT IS LAUGHTER MEDITATION?
Dee Davis health educator in the Bronx teaching her first Laughter Meditation in 2015 to patients fighting and living with Cancer. This was in partnership with Montefiore Hospital’s BOLD Program, which provided holistic wellness services to the Bronx community.
Laughter meditation is a form of meditation that combines breathing exercises and laughter to promote a sense of well-being, joy, and relaxation. This type of meditation is also known as laughing yoga or laughter therapy, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Laughter meditation is an inner experience. When we laugh we are totally free. We can’t be in the past laughing, or in the future. Laughing brings us to the present moment. Laughter meditation is a cost-effective healing tool used to transform the present moment into child-like playfulness while honoring your inner child. Laughter meditation is strong preventative medicine and has a profound effect on the mind, body and spirit.
Did you know children can laugh up to 400 times a day, versus adults who laugh 15 times a day?
During a laughter meditation session, participants engage in laughter exercises that involve deep breathing, physical movements, and vocalizations. These exercises are designed to trigger laughter and create a positive, relaxed state of mind.
6 Benefits of Laughter Meditation
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Laughter meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. The deep breathing and physical movements also help to release tension in the body, which can contribute to feelings of relaxation.
Boosts Immune System
Laughter meditation can also boost the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and activating the body's natural defenses against infection and disease. Laughter has been shown to stimulate the production of immune cells and enhance their function, which can help to protect the body from illness.
Improves Mood
Laughter meditation can improve mood by promoting feelings of happiness and joy. The release of endorphins during laughter meditation can create a sense of euphoria and well-being, which can last for hours after the meditation session is over.
Laughter is an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high. Whether with romantic partners, friends and family, or co-workers, you can learn to use humor to smooth over disagreements, lower everyone’s stress level, and communicate in a way that builds up your relationships rather than breaking them down.
Enhances Relationships
Laughter meditation can also enhance relationships by promoting a sense of connection and camaraderie among participants. Laughing together can create a sense of bonding and promote positive feelings towards others, which can help to improve social interactions and relationships.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Laughter meditation has also been shown to improve cardiovascular health by increasing blood flow and improving blood pressure. Laughing can also stimulate the production of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps to dilate blood vessels and improve circulation.
“The sun demands no reason to shine, water demands no reason to flow, a child demands no reason to smile, then why do we need a reason to laugh?”
Honors Your Inner Child
Another benefit of laughter meditation is that it can help us tap into our inner child. Children laugh, on average, around 300 times a day, while adults only laugh about 20 times a day. By tapping into our inner child through laughter, we can reconnect with a more carefree, playful, and joyful part of ourselves.
Laughter meditation can help us access this childlike sense of wonder and joy by encouraging us to let go of our inhibitions, be more spontaneous, and have fun. Through laughter meditation, we can rediscover the joy of being fully present in the moment, letting go of our worries and fears, and embracing the simple pleasures of life.
Incorporating laughter meditation into our daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to reconnect with our inner child and experience more joy and happiness in our lives. By laughing more often, we can cultivate a more positive and lighthearted outlook on life, and rediscover the simple pleasures of being alive.
In conclusion, laughter meditation is a simple yet powerful practice that can offer a wide range of physical, emotional, and social benefits. By incorporating laughter into your meditation practice, you can reduce stress and anxiety, boost your immune system, improve your mood, enhance your relationships, and improve your cardiovascular health.