He Who Laughs Longer, Lives Longer

laughter

We all like a good laugh, don’t we? It releases stress, puts us in a good mood, and generally makes us feel better about life.

Were you taught in your childhood, as I was, to put a lid on your laughter and keep it down? I remember giggling in church, at school, on solemn occasions and getting frowned at by adults. This often made me laugh even more, as I tried to stuff down the irrepressible gales of guffaws welling up from deep inside me.

Laughter has many dimensions of benefits for us, and I want to share them with you now. I have been practicing the *Laughter Meditation for over twenty-five years. My life has transformed and the same can happen for you.

Laughter is good for us in every way: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Among its many benefits:

LAUGHTER STIMULATES PHYSICAL HEALING
**Scientific research has now proven that laughter does indeed, improve our health and well-being. If you can laugh when you are stressed, anxious, worried, even if you are ill, you feel better sooner. Laughter lowers blood pressure, boosts immune function, decreases stress hormones, relaxes muscles, assists in pain reduction (you can “forget” about the pain for a few moments), and is good cardiac exercise. Laughter brings energy from within you to heal, soothe, and inspire.

LAUGHTER ENHANCES OUR CREATIVITY
What I have noticed after numerous episodes of laughter is that as our energetic systems open up we are flooded with more creative energy. As old conditionings are released the unconscious opens and insights come. The relaxation of body and mind provides a gateway for creativity to come forward into expression.

LAUGHTER IS REJUVENATING, AND REGENERATING AND KEEPS US YOUNG
When we laugh and smile we loosen up and generally feel better. The face collects a lot of our stress and when we laugh a tremendous amount of tension from the face, neck and head is released. This gives us a more youthful appearance. It reminds us about having fun. Maybe today, do something just for the sheer fun of it. And think of the money you save on cosmetic procedures to make you look “younger”! Laughter radiates your youthful spirit through your eyes and whole being.

LAUGHTER IS SEXY
Laughter is a positive energy vibration and helps attract people to you that are good for you. It is beneficial for anyone who is s*xually blocked. It releases inhibitions and opens up the energetic channels, bringing us directly in touch with our energy. The Law of Attraction states that you get what you vibrate. Laughter helps keep your energy at a highly positive vibrational level so you attract good things. And who isn’t s*xy when they laugh?

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR RELATIONSHIPS
Laughter draws people together, doesn’t it? Many couples who do the Laughter Meditation together tell me they find a tremendous improvement in their relating. They discover another side of each other, the playful, humorous side which gives a relief to the more serious part of life concerned with work, money, housework, the kids, etc. Remember the old adage: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”? Well, it doesn’t do much for Jill either!

Laughter improves relating with our children. They are our teachers in this regard. They laugh easily, and often. Children remind us of the magical qualities of wonder, imagination, spontaneity, playfulness, being fun and funny, which we all need to balance the stresses of life.

Relating with family members, colleagues at work, neighbors, people in the grocery store, commuters in traffic jams, for example, can be enhanced with laughter and smiles. Camaraderie is created, and a longing we all have for connection is fulfilled. Laughter heals feelings of isolation and separation and reminds us that we are all humans, living together on this earth. We all make mistakes and have flaws and laughter eases the wounds and reminds us that we are all loved and connected.(And I mean,of course, laughing with people, not at them.)

LAUGHTER MEDITATION TECHNIQUE:
Do this as often, and for as long as, you like. And remember to laugh, a lot, every day!

Step One:
Start laughing. You can shout out “Yahoo” three times and raise your arms up in the air, or use a funny Youtube video, or any idea you have to start yourself laughing. (It’s easier, especially at the beginning, to do this with at least one other person.) Do not speak in any language you understand. Just laugh.

Step Two:
Sit in silence with your eyes closed. If there is still laughter bubbling up, allow it. Never repress your laughter. Eventually your laughter transforms into a joy-filled silence. [Care2]