Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Volunteers canvass for donations through the month of February, to support life-saving research and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke within their communities.
Modern day stressors, worries and lifestyle changes have increased the rate of heart diseases which are a major cause of death and despair. 
Even as doctors and patients try to minimize the risk factors, scientific studies have proved that laughter is the simplest answer to a healthy life. An extended hearty laugh as in Laughter Yoga, the unique exercise routine, is one of the fastest ways to accelerate heart rate and provides an excellent cardiovascular workout and heart massage.
Dr. Michael Miller, a leading heart researcher and Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Director, Center for Preventive Cardiology at University of Maryland Medical Center discovered that laughter expands the blood vessels promoting circulation and reducing blood pressure.
We can see, feel, and enjoy the experience of laughter, but what we don’t see is how beneficial it is for our internal body chemistry. I like to say that your feelings are your chemistry. I see love and laughter as the twin building blocks that hold life together. It seems to make a lot of sense that the pleasant feelings and images that emerge through laughter alter your body chemistry in a good way—supporting your immune system.
Risk Factors and How Laughter Yoga Helps
High blood pressure: Known as the silent killer, it is one of the main causes for heart attacks and strokes.
A good, hearty laugh normalizes blood pressure and stabilizes the pulse and the heart rate. Scientific studies have proved that a few days of Laughter Yoga exercises and deep breathing lowers BP thus reducing the risk of a heart attack. It improves circulation and increases the supply of oxygen.
High blood cholesterol: Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but can lead to the constriction of the arteries.
Regular Laughter Yoga can expand the blood vessels and open the arteries. It allows the blood to flow freely to all parts of the body, thus preventing a cardiac failure.
Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle is also a major risk factor for heart disease. In fact, an inactive lifestyle contributes to higher blood cholesterol and striglyceride levels, lower HDL levels and increases obesity. Studies show that people who get regular aerobic exercise have better cardiovascular fitness, which decreases their risk of heart attack. The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week to promote cardiovascular fitness.
Just 20 minutes of hearty laughter is as good as an hour of aerobic exercises. It is a physical exercise – easy to do, safe and economical. It provides a fast and powerful no-sweat cardiovascular workout. Anyone can do
it and feel the difference just after the first session. It loosens the body muscles and increases mobility. In fact, it is extremely beneficial for seniors who have restrictive movement due to age or illness.
Stress and anxiety: Stress is the number one killer today and most of the illnesses are stress related. When under a state of stress, the biochemical changes alter the breathing pattern making it shallow and irregular.
Laughter Yoga can reduce stress levels by 75% or more in just one session. It minimizes stress, reduces blood pressure and lifts depression. It also boosts the immune system and increases circulation for better air flow to the body and the brain.
Laughter Yoga is the ideal answer to depression. It releases endorphins, a natural opiate, which alleviates
pain and kick starts good feelings. It helps to elevate the mood instantaneously and changes the perspective towards things thereby reducing depression.
A participant of a ten week program at Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre has this to say.
“Kathryn, I’d like to thank you for helping me to learn to laugh again. As I mentioned, I have been struggling with depression. The first week I had trouble remembering what it was like to laugh. Now, after several weeks, it has become easier to smile and laugh. I sincerely thank you for the positive difference you have made in my life”.
Diabetes: is also a major cause for heart diseases. Recent scientific study proves that Laughter Yoga has a profound impact on diabetes. The study confirmed a marked drop in the sugar levels after few days of hearty extended laughter.
Hearty laughter quickly counters depression and a negative outlook, especially when practiced within a group of peers. This is partly due to chemicals released by the brain and partly caused by a powerful emotional response to the group dynamics of laughter yoga.
Join your nearest laughter yoga club today and laugh away stress, build a better immunity against disease, strengthen your heart and feel part of a positive, loving, joyful, healthy community.
One giant step towards extending your life to the fullest.