Laughing It Off

Fitness has certainly taken a back seat for many during this pandemic. Inconsistent gym closures have made it hard to get back into any sort of routine, leaving us with little choice to stay active as we once did. However, while the pandemic has definitely cast a shadow over many aspects of life, it has also allowed for particular things to shine. As we continually adapt our lifestyles in the context of lockdowns and distancing, many new activities have been introduced to peoples’ lives. For many, the pandemic has given us that chance to reset, reboot and find new meaning.

Researchers have recently highlighted the efficacy of a niche and probably less common variant of yoga: laughter yoga. Alright, yes, it might be a little hard to visualize, but it is exactly how it sounds! Laughter yoga entails warming up with regular deep breathing exercises, and then adding the act of laughter into calming and meditative movements in a group environment. It certainly sounds a bit odd, especially with its use of “simulated laughter” which means participants are instructed to use voluntary laughter, rather than natural and spontaneous laughter to something humorous.

While we work on reshaping our everyday lives, one thing stays constant is the stress. And even more so, during these trying times. How can we use this opportunity to find new ways to tackle stress? Working out has long been a proven method of stress relief and coping - especially in the student population. Is there a silver lining to be drawn with being forced to seek different coping strategies? As our stress evolves within the context of unprecedented times,I believe so. Life is adaptation, and always has been! Openness to experience has historically been linked to positive outcomes all across the board.

Perhaps practitioners of laughter yoga have instilled the facial feedback hypothesis - a well known fact that the mere act of smiling can cause one’s emotions to light up. It follows then, that forcefully moving the muscles typically used for laughing should bring that positive and warm emotion that natural laughter usually brings. Integrating it within an established coping tool such as yoga should serve only to amplify its effects and is definitely well-grounded in theory - could it help alleviate stress in one of the most challenging academic programs in today’s climate? Researchers chose to explore this unique form of yoga’s effects on a first year nursing student population.

To explore how beneficial laughter yoga could be towards stress relief, the researchers investigated its effect on individuals’ self-reported mental health symptoms along with more objective physiological markers of stress (such as cortisol). Anxiety and depression were notably decreased in participants of laughter yoga, which was noted to be helpful in light of the anxiety nursing students have, entering their first instances of clinical practice. As well, it buffered self-esteem and confidence, another trait that could be lacking in this novice group. Other notable improvements were seen in somatization and hostility, which further illustrates how laughter yoga could holistically improve mental wellbeing in this stress-ridden group. Levels of cortisol - a hormone known as a marker of stress, were also analyzed throughout participation in the laughter yoga program. Aligned with previous studies, cortisol levels began to trend down, especially after the fourth session. The investigators theorized the participants’ growing familiarity with the program could be the reason for the significant impact at this stage.

With this level of evidence, and all the studies that preceded it, laughter yoga is no doubt something worthwhile for all individuals to explore, as a pandemic friendly method to stay fit and relieve stress. Even if it is not, perhaps we can catch a good laugh trying it out along with our friends and family. While these times have shut many doors for us, there are plenty that have opened as well. And one of them has laughter yoga written on it.

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Sources:

• Ozturk, F. O., & Tezel, A. (2021). Effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and salivary cortisol levels in first‐year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Practice, e12924.