Laughter Medicine

July 13, 2014 by

Benefits of Laughter

Laughter really is the best medicine – physically, mentally, and emotionally. No prescription needed; no unpleasant side effects; it’s non-fattening, legal, and free. Get your daily dose!

  • Laughter is a universal language, connecting and uniting people.
  • Reduces stress, depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts and feelings
  • Increases joyfulness, peace, and wellness
  • Internal jogging – laughing provides a good massage to all internal organs, especially the intestines, improving blood supply, and helping the bowels move properly
  • Strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infection
  • Increases oxygen supply to the body & brain (all disease is caused by a lack of oxygen )
  • Aerobic exercise – 1 minute of laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine
  • Improves interpersonal relationships and connects people
  • Laughter is cathartic and releases blocked emotions in a healthy way
  • Enhances weight reduction
  • Reduces blood pressure and heart rate
  • Lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc) in the blood and increases hormones and neuro-peptides related to positive feelings
  • Puts us intensely in the moment. The ability to fully live and experience the “now” is of utmost importance because it is the only moment we can experience happiness.
  • Promotes better sleep
  • Conditions and strengthens abdominal muscles and intestines; improves digestion, absorption, and bowel movement
  • Makes you look younger by exercising and toning facial muscles
  • Relaxes muscles throughout the body
  • Reduces pain and symptoms of many chronic illnesses; shortens recovery time
  • Releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers
  • Increases antibody levels in saliva and mucous membranes of the respiratory passages, reducing the frequency of chest and respiratory infections
  • Secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers
  • Stimulates right-brain, creative thinking
  • Changes perspective and makes you feel good!
  • A playful approach to everyday things is a key factor in staying healthy.
  • Promotes world peace; peace begins within each individual.

Courtesy of LaughterForWellness.com Certified Laughter Yoga Leader Training

For more information on Laughter Yoga, Laughter workshops, corporate team building, staff development, private groups and events: www.MonarchTherapy.com ~ (239) 325-9210.

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Filed Under: Depression, Exercise, Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Other Integrative Health, Yoga
About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

More about Kimberly