It’s never too late to experience the healing power of humor. In this great article, we find out how some senior citizens in Tennessee have created their own form of laughter therapy.
—–
From Tennessean.com
By CHASITY GUNN
MURFREESBORO — Sitting around a small table, Ethel Williams and her friends laughed over a game of “chicken foot” dominos at St. Clair Senior Citizens Center.
Williams loves to laugh. It “makes you feel better,” she said.
Research has shown that laughter helps emotional and physical health. Starting Jan. 24, seniors here will be gathering for one reason only — to laugh. Lisa Foster, the center’s program director, is starting a Laughter Club.
A portable laughter library stocked with books, CDs and DVDs will be used as catalysts for the participants’ chuckles. In November, the center received a $4,735 grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to create the library.
Laughter Clubs are growing across the world and stem from Laughter Yoga.
“Laughter yoga is a new concept where anyone can laugh for without reason or jokes or comedy,” said Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the Dr. Kataria School of Laughter, during a phone interview from India.
Groups form to laugh for a period of time. Kataria, who has been studying this trend since 1995, said many health benefits come from laughter.
“It has a strong impact on the body and mind,” he said. “It has a profound effect on your immune system.”
In 2005, cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that laughter may help prevent heart attacks and other heart diseases.
Laughter is considered an aerobic exercise; it relaxes the muscles and raises one’s heart rate, Kataria said.
It’s light on the body so it’s ideal for seniors, who are often unable to do heavy exercise, Foster said.
“Ten minutes of laughter is like 30 minutes on a rowing machine,” Kataria said.
To receive the proven benefits, one must laugh for 20 to 30 minutes, he added.
“Your body can’t tell the difference if you’re laughing in a real situation or as an exercise,” Kataria said.
The health benefits are the same for either scenario. Some seniors will be unable to participate because of health conditions such as hernias.
Stalk Us!