Laughing is a serious matter – it may seem like an oxymoron but it's also true.

If we accept the fact that laughter is the best medicine, as the old proverb says, and acknowledge many of the beneficial effects that derive from laughing then we cannot afford not to laugh.

In this respect we should learn from children who laugh about 300 - 400 times a day while the average adult laughs – wait for it – only about 5-6 times a day (it seems that we have lost something on the way).

The reason one laughs is not important – it may be due to a joke, a silly face, or no reason at all. In fact when someone laughs for the sake of laughing and does not depend on hearing a joke, then his/her laughter becomes less mental and more spontaneous and can even last longer as the effect of a joke has limited time effects. Again here children are the great masters – they seem to be able to laugh for no reason at all, spontaneously laughing. And of course we know that laughter has the contamination effect. When one starts laughing, his/her laughter can easily be transmitted (through the process of resonance) to the people around.

In 1928, an American doctor, James Walsh said that “the health of an individual depends on how much humour he has and how often he laughs”.

Dr Henri Rubinstein said: “Without doctors neglecting their scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge, they can successfully recommend a universal product which you don't chew or inject, which always has a good market, and which is very efficient and perfectly harmless, laughter. Laughter is not something to be prescribed, but the doctors should know from the beginning to make their patients laugh and smile so that they regain an optimistic attitude and encourage them to relax by laughing. This can be done with specific exercises, reading jokes or watching a funny play”. In other words, doctors should not feel that this way of thinking goes against conventional medicine, but rather complementing it. At the end of the day a doctor who encourages his/her patients to laugh, be happy and joyous becomes him/herself more pleasant and popular with patients.

The beneficial effects of laughter were very well know to the so-called primitive populations in the world and also the shamans in North America had the responsibility of making their patients laugh so that the evil spirits – responsible for the diseases – would be driven away.

One thing to bear in mind is that only humans can laugh. This is a proof that laughter is a superior manifestation and therefore should be practised as much as possible.

Laughter is a natural de-stress – It lowers the level of cortizol, decreases blood pressure and relaxes muscles. We will see below how this occurs. Because of its de-stress effects it has been found very beneficial for stress and anger management

Laughter generates the secretion of endorphins – these have a chemical structure similar to morphine and increase happiness, euphoria, high spirits and induce a state of pleasure stopping pain in the most natural way.

Laughter as a mental and emotional stimulus – laughter makes us more optimistic and induces high spirits driving in this way away the stresses and “crises” of everyday life. The effect of this can be found not only on a personal level but in the context of a group. A good round of laughter with friends (or - indeed – strangers) establishes ties between humans, improving relationships at work, home, society at large.

Laughter stimulates in a natural, fast and lasting way the Parasympathetic Nervous System – its function is to slow down the cardiac rate, decrease blood pressure, adjust digestion, improve breathing function and naturally control the genital function improving in this way sexual continence. Stimulating the working of the parasympathetic system laughter generates a notable decrease of stress effects.

Laughter as a tonic for the muscles – Depending on the intensity of laughter the muscular system is more or less beneficially affected. It is an inner massage and for those who are not so keen on practising a specific type of sport it is much more pleasant and enjoyable

Laughter as a breathing exercise – through the increased amount of oxygen induced due to laughter the whole body is purified. Laughter is also a cure against asthma as it cleans and decongests the upper arterial ducts becoming efficient in cases of bronchial and pulmonary pathology. In asthma crises the sympathetic system tends to predominate but with laughter the parasympathetic system kicks in relaxing in this way the smooth muscle of the bronchi.

Laughter against constipation – Due to the intense massage of the digestive tract generated by laughter, we are naturally combating constipation. Laughter also increases the secretion of saliva and digestive fluids helping in this way gastric and intestinal contractions and in the better digestion and assimilation of vitamins and minerals.

Laughter against insomnia – This is due to the fact that after laughing all inner tensions disappear and muscles become relaxed. This helps in getting a good sleep

Laughter for cardio-vascular problems – Laughter shakes beneficially the neuro-vegetative system and the cardio-vascular system. Initially the breathing and hear rate increase but then due to being stimulated by laughter the Parasympathetic system takes over and the muscles get relaxed, blood pressure decreases and the heart slows down its rhythm. Additionally, because of laughter, liver is stimulated and pulmonary exchanges increase. In this way the metabolism of cholesterol is beneficially affected leading to decrease of fats in blood.

Laughter against pain – We already mentioned the effects of laughter on the secretion of endorphins which naturally reduce pain. Pain is also reduced during laughter because our attention is focused on a point other that of the painful area – we are somehow distracted. Pain is also due to muscular tension but then - as already mentioned - due to the stimulation of the Parasympathetic nervous system laughter induces relaxation.

Laughter for longevity and looking younger – The tone of the facial muscles due to laughter makes the face keep its suppleness, decreasing the number of wrinkles making us look younger, beautiful and radiant. There are also indications that humour and longevity are closely connected. If indeed premature ageing is due to stress then laughter naturally (together with lovemaking with transfiguration and sexual continence) drives away stress allowing us to live longer and happier.

Laughter as Yoga – Laughter is breaking the barriers between us and the others, overcoming the separation to which the ego is used to. Laughing in a group establishes this bond between us and the other members of the group. At these moments of “silliness” the ego loses its prime importance. We are not really that concerned about our image. We are not bothered about how others see us or what they think of us. The mind takes a step back. We are entering somehow into a state of surrendering. Manipura chakra is harmoniously activated and in consonance with those mysterious beneficial forces constantly emanating from the macrocosm which allow the Universal Will to predominate. We are entering in this way into a state of freedom. When due to laughter we are not separated from the others, there is the sense of unity that sets in, unity between us and the others, between us and the Divine. (Laughter) Yoga in – Ego out!