Laughing at FMS
A joyful heart is good medicine but depression drains one’s strength; so said a very wise man some 3,000 years ago. We are all familiar with the saying “Laughter is good medicine” and we all know that when we have a good belly laugh, we just feel a lot better. What’s more, now we have the actual science to prove that the ancients were right … when you laugh everything feels much better.
Negative Emotions Leave Nothing to Laugh about with FMS
In recent years a lot of attention has been given to the mind/body connection and how our moods and attitudes have a profound effect upon our physical heath. When negative feelings and emotions rule, then poor health follows. Candace Pert, in her book, The Molecules of Emotion, noted that emotions, registered and stored in the body in the form of chemical messages, are the key to the health connection between the mind and body. It is through the emotions you experience in connection with your thoughts and daily attitudes, through the neurochemical changes that accompany these emotions, that your mind acquires the power to influence whether you get sick or remain well.
We know that one of the major factors in relation to fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is stress. The recent years have seen a growing rise in stress related illnesses such as:
· high blood pressure
· anxiety
· nervous breakdowns
· heart disease
· cancer
· low immunity
· chronic fatigue syndrome
· fibromyalgia syndrome
The Effective Medicinal Value of Laughter for FMS
Humor is subjective and what one person finds funny, another may not. However, laughter is not humor – it is a physiological response to humor. It is also something that can you can do whether there is any stimulus or not, as we’ll see later. Research has presented the following conclusions about laughter:
· Laughter reduces a hormone released during the stress response
· Laughter increases an antibody that helps fight upper respiratory diseases
· Laughter increases one’s tolerance to pain
· Laughter increases one’s heart rate, pulse rate, and “juggles” the internal organs
Nearly twenty years ago Dr. Matan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, India, launched the first Laughter Club at a park with just a tiny handful of participants. The Laughter Club has grown to more than 7,000 clubs in at least 70 countries. The main event at a Laughter Club is an exercise routine that is both simple and very profound. It is called Laughter Yoga.
Laughter Yoga for FMS – You Don’t Need Comedy
Laughter Yoga is a combination of unconditional laughter and yogic breathing. It is proof that you can laugh for no reason, without the stimulation of humor or comedy of any sort. It is simulated as a body exercise in a group using eye contact and childlike playfulness that soon morphs into real and contagious laughter. The concept is based on the scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. Regardless whether the laughter is a real belly laugh or a “ha, ha, ha” that comes from nothing more than saying the phrase, the person gets the same physiological and psychological benefits.
The Proven Benefits of Laughter for FMS
Documented research has proven that laughter has enormous benefits on one’s physical, mental and emotional health. It is more than just a physical response. It boosts the immune system, increases circulation and raises the pain threshold – all important to dealing with the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome. The positive health benefits of laughter contribute to smoother functions in the body, speedier healing from injuries and aid in the management of chronic pain.
Laughter is a natural pain killer. It releases endorphins that in turn reduce the intensity of musculoskeletal pain – a daily phenomenon with FMS. Laughter can relieve headaches, joint and muscle pain and provides immediate pain relief that typically lasts up to two hours. And, the release of beta-endorphins also causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, your body’s naturally manufactured anti-inflammatory.
Laugh Your Way to Mobility With Fibromyalgia
FMS can be exacerbated by a lack of movement and exercise. A person with FMS may know that if they do exercise they will probably feel much better, but just the thought of possibly straining themselves stops them cold. Laughter Yoga helps a person experience a massage of the mid-body organs and it is an effective method to promote circulation in the lymphatic system. Natural pain killers combined with movements in laughter exercises makes it an excellent tool to relieve pain and gain mobility in otherwise cramped muscles.
Why not enjoy this effective and fun tool of self-care beginning today. There are no fees attached to the Laughter Club and there is probably one close to you. Laugh away your FMS pain and increase your health!