Laughter is the best antidote to depression
Depression, according to recent studies, is a leading cause of death in this modern-super-fast-paced-highly-revolutionized-techie world we live in. The antidote to depression is a happy, positive mindset. When one laughs, endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, are released, making a person feel good and happy. “A merry heart doeth good like a good medicine.”
The demise of Robin Williams made me realize how Laughter Yoga can greatly help lift depression, which actually is one of its major benefits. Laughter Yoga works both ways – helps both the participant and the one conducting it feel good, happy, positive and healthy. By learning to laugh, taking things we cannot change right away in stride and learning to roll with the punches by focusing on the positive, beautiful side of life, we become more appreciative of what and how we are. Grateful even as we bear in mind that whatever challenges we face shall come to pass. That trials and difficulties, like rains and storms, are but passing seasons of life.
Laughter lifts the spirits. Couple this with long, deep breathing and, voila, you feel better! Very often, on and off my Laughter Yoga sessions, I am asked if I get depressed and encounter problems, too. I reply I have no problems, only challenging situations, and say, “Hello! I am as human as anyone. The big difference is I don’t dwell on any situation toxic and negative. I lift them up to God, who willingly takes on all our burdens for us. He carries us on His shoulders during our most trying moments.” Jokingly, but seriously, I added, the louder my laughter, the heavier or more difficult the challenges that besiege me. Also, at the onset of a any negative feeling, I do some Laughter Yoga exercises, particularly the Hearty Laughter, my favorite. It is good for the mind, body and spirit and guaranteed to make one feel better. The hoho haha-ing is another good stress buster, good for the overall well-being. Any rhythmic movement of the diaphragm makes one feel better. It overhauls the mood and mindset. In addition, I do positive chanting like: “I feel good, very good; I am happy, very happy,” complete with body movement, and in no time at all, the cobwebs crowding my mind are gone. My mood reversed. My outlook positive. My feeling much better.
I realize the great need to spread Laughter Yoga to help and make as many of our kababayans experience the best, fastest, easiest, stress-and-depression buster there is — Laughter Yoga. Acceding to the numerous emailed requests, the following are the Laughter Yoga benefits: lifts depression, reduces cholesterol level, clears the air passages, boosts the immune system, brings down the stress level, enhances optimism and cultivates positivism. The Laughter Yoga exercises are doable anytime, any place in all of life’s challenging situations. It can be done alone or with a group. Laugh and you banish your worries and everything that bugs your mind. As you read this now — laugh!
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Let’s laugh to a healthy, happy, positive us. My next LYoga session is tomorrow, Aug. 27, at the Dusit Hotel for Punongbayan, Araullo & Associates’ employees and clients. Email me at mega_abundant_lv@yahoo.com.
