Laughing In The Face Of Depression - By: Sophie T.

Depression has become a common affliction in today’s stressful society. It can result from many factors, including social pressures, psychological stressors, and our own biological makeup, and unwelcome events in our lives can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms. Our personal coping skills, the level of support we have available, and the way we live our lives in general can all negatively contribute to feelings of hopelessness if we do not approach life in a healthy manner.

Certainly, in the case of a biological predisposition to depression, pharmaceutical intervention has proven beneficial, and conventional therapy can be extremely helpful, but making changes in the way we view the world can have measurable results. One method of creating positive changes in our lives and attitudes is through laughter yoga.

To quote Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of laughter yoga, “Depressed people seldom laugh, and laughing people are seldom depressed.”

Dr. Madan Kataria developed laughter yoga in Mumbai India in 1995. At the time, he wanted to offer his patients an alternative and enjoyable way to combat stress related illnesses, so he gathered five attendees together in an outdoor park for his first session. It is now practiced in over 60 countries.

Laughter yoga combines breathing and light physical exercise to simulate and stimulate laughter. This combination can change your mood within minutes by releasing neurotransmitters from your brain cells called endorphins which are known as “feel good hormones.” The exercises are performed in a group incorporating childlike playfulness and direct eye contact. Simulated laughter soon transforms into genuine, contagious laughter, but the physical effects are the same whether that transformation takes place or not.

Depression is connected to imbalances of the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine in the bloodstream, and when these levels remain elevated we lose our ability to turn off our stress response. This leads to negative emotions, depression, and illness. Laughter yoga reduces the levels of these stress hormones in the blood and increases the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the brain and vital organs in the body. The result is an overall sense of well-being.

Laughter yoga’s benefits, both physical and mental, reduce negative emotions and promote positive emotions including feelings of happiness, safety, and self-worth. It is an enjoyable and inspiring way to combat feelings of sadness and hopelessness. If you suffer from depression, you owe it to yourself to try this rewarding approach to self healing and joy. Dr. Kataria describes laughter as a “mental floss.” Try it today for clearing the cobwebs of your mind.

About the Author

For more information on laughter yoga, or to find a class in the Ottawa area, visit our website at: http://www.laughtercapital.com and http://www.capitaledurire.com. Reference: Kataria, M. (1999). LAUGH For No Reason. Madhuri International Publishing.

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