Laughter, a precious tool

Pain and suffering, a theme that is not treated lightly. It is a reality that is often difficult to live with, to which we decide to adapt if we want to survive and above all to live to the fullest. Deciding to adapt is to consciously make the choice not to suffer, not to capitulate to this pain that becomes suffering; it is not to let this suffering pervade our whole life and to try to contain it. And even to learn from this suffering, which sometimes opens us to another level of consciousness.

With the challenge posed, the search for solutions begins. Several paths are to be explored. Here I invite you to consider laughter, a precious tool that offers us much more than a good moment of pleasure, which is already not so bad...

So let's get serious about laughter. Did you know that one minute of laughter is equivalent to 45 minutes of relaxation? Attention, I am talking here about laughter as an action, laughter in its physical, “mechanical” expression; I am not talking about humor, a complex phenomenon that refers to everyone's interpretation: we like it or we don't like it. Laughter, on the other hand, exists; it is the result, the act in its purest form. And it is laughter that interests us and that will be mainly about here.

First, we will see how emotions, attitudes, and stress are translated into our body. We will then discover that laughter can help us rebalance our system. Laughter becomes an anti-stress tool, an element of lifestyle...

Impact of emotions and stress

We have already known for several years that a chemical link exists between emotions, cells and organs in our body: neuropeptides. It is a substance secreted by neurons, a kind of messenger that physiologically expresses our emotional state. Each emotion would have its physiological profile and personality, attitudes would be recorded in each cell... Striking cases are reported to us in psychiatry. For example, let us cite the case of a person with

“multiple personalities” who suffer from diabetes when they have one personality and no longer suffer from it when they have another. As if each cell was imbued with personality.

We also know that stress has an impact on our body and on the immune system. If we briefly recall the concept of stress, we can say that it is a pressure from the environment that induces a physical and emotional reaction and requires readjustment, a change. When we perceive stress, our body reacts, prepares for action: flee or fight. Our body reacts by secreting hormones (including adrenaline). In prehistoric times, it was a question of survival: in the face of danger, the body mobilizes all its resources. Today, we are reacting to events that, in fact, do not (in general) require such mobilization of survival resources. And while stress is necessary and positive (because it allows us to react, adapt, and perform at our best), it can also be harmful and negative for our body, depending on the circumstances.

Adrenaline would have an impact on the immune system. Indeed, human research shows that if you inject small doses of adrenaline, the immune system is affected. It was also noted that in students during the exam period (stress factor), the immune system is slightly weakened. It also seems that mourners (study on bereaved spouses) are more vulnerable to the disease, this being due to the weakened immune system. In addition, animals subjected to stress (electric shocks, for example) are more vulnerable to infections. Research has shown, for example, that rats on a diet high in sugar and under stress develop more cavities. At the same time, in mice that have been injected with cancer cells, it is observed that the evolution of cancer is accelerated if they are also subjected to stress. Moreover, if the possibility of escaping stress is non-existent (concept of powerlessness), the evolution of cancer will be even more marked. It is thus possible to believe that the feeling of powerlessness and depression influences the body's ability to defend itself. Other human research has shown that a person who adapts well to stress, who sees a crisis situation as a challenge rather than a disaster, for example, will see their immune system remain stable while a person who is depressed, excessively anxious will have their immune system weakened.

What we learn from all this is that mental attitude has a definite importance in terms of the impact of stress. So it is not stress as such that is harmful, but rather its interpretation, the meaning we give it. And it is in our power to change the way we see things. So we are not powerless victims.

To judge the impact of stress, several factors must be considered including the extent, duration and intensity of stress, perception, interpretation, attitude, coping skills of the person and their feeling of control and powerlessness.

Conditioning and the immune system

Research shows that you can condition the immune system. Conditioning is a learning process that allows you to “survive.” For example, if you put your hand in boiling water, you won't put it back in again! You learn quickly. In the same way, it seems possible to condition the immune system. For example, rats are given sweet juice supplemented with an immunosuppressant. Naturally, the function of the immune system is reduced. After a certain period of time, sweet juice alone causes this decrease: sweet juice equals a decrease in the immune system. Our system is learning, it is generalizing, it is no longer thinking. But sometimes he learns bad information... Another example: we can say that powerlessness can be learned. Indeed, rats in a labyrinth that are discharged without being able to control the situation (flee) will come to a complete standstill and no longer move at all.

So we could say that in light of our life experiences and the integration we make of them, we draw our own conclusions, we set ourselves a frame of reference, rules that limit our possibilities of adaptation. And this is at the very heart of our physiological being. So read on.

Two warships undergoing training had been at sea for several days, in very bad weather. Shortly after nightfall, when visibility was very limited, the wing of the bridge was reported: “Light at the front! ”

• Is it stable or in motion? , asked the
• Stable, my captain

This meant that the ship was on a collision line with this boat. The captain then spoke to the radio manager: “Send a message to this boat and tell it that we are on a collision line. Suggest that he change his trajectory by 20 degrees.”

A message came back to them: “Let's suggest that you change your trajectory by 20 degrees instead.”

Furious, the captain exclaimed: “I am a warship, change your trajectory by 20 degrees!”

For any response, he received: “I am the lighthouse.” The ship then changed its trajectory...

The captain never imagined he was dealing with a lighthouse! It is better to try to remain open to life, flexible in spirit...

What do we do?

First of all, if stress induces a more or less desirable physiological state, one can, if one so decides, learn to induce a relaxation response. Several techniques exist: meditation, yoga, relaxation and mental imagery. It's about exploring these techniques, learning them, and practicing them regularly.

Moreover, our mind is a tool for change and transformation. Why not work and evolve in the way we perceive events? To sharpen our desire to live, to do everything possible to make life beautiful and pleasant, to see obstacles, difficulties as challenges, opportunities to learn and also to believe that it is possible to change things: powerlessness is paralyzing. And then there's the laughter...

Laughter pays off

Yes! Laughter pays off. Maybe not real money, but it increases health capital. Laughter can bring us great benefits. More and more research is showing this. Did you know that just putting a smile on your face (even if you don't want to laugh) changes the physiological messages in your body? The body can't tell the difference between real and false: a smile, even without reason, is a smile and it's good.

But let's get back to the benefits of laughter. We often say: “Well, it feels good to laugh! ” Nothing could be more true. Here's what happens when you laugh: the eyebrows rise to the middle of the eye and lower to the side of the nose, the eyes close almost completely.

The mouth appears ajar and reveals the teeth, the corners are pulled back and rise upward, causing the cheeks to fold, which appear swollen and seem to rise above the eyes. The face is red, the nostrils are open. The eyes may fog up or produce a few tears.

The larynx muscles and vocal cords are responsible for vocalizing “HA HA! HI HEY!” caused by deep breaths followed by short, spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and of the muscles that are accessories to breathing.

The inspiratory muscles amplify the thorax in three directions: transverse, anteroposterior and especially vertical. Abdominal contents are lowered by the diaphragm that goes down. In addition to the action of the respiratory muscles, shoulder jerks occur and especially a relaxation, a relaxation of the other muscular territories: the head is no longer fixed and swings, the hands open until objects are released, the legs relax, which can force the laughing person to sit up. This muscular relaxation can become generalized and interest the sphincters (we then look for the toilet!).

In parallel with these effects on voluntary muscles, changes in the involuntary muscles occur: the heart rate increases, and then decreases in a lasting way. Artery muscles relax and increase the size of the vessels, which lowers blood pressure.

Likewise, the bronchi open wider and increase lung ventilation, which improves oxygenation and the expulsion of carbonic acid.

Several physiological systems benefit from laughter.

Respiratory system

It can be said that laughter is predominantly exhalatory. This cleans and frees the airways, causing coughing, for example. In addition, laughter in a way re-educates our breathing, which is often short, superficial and exhilarating, and can go so far as to induce anxiety. Laughing, we take deep breaths, we exhale deeply and there is relaxation, relaxation and inner calm.

Cardiovascular system

Laughter has a shock effect on the system. In the initial phase, heart rate and breathing speed up. This short phase is followed by a slowdown and a long phase of relaxation: the heart continues to work in slow motion, blood pressure drops and muscles relax. Laughter also has an effect on cholesterol metabolism: liver dysfunction and increased pulmonary exchanges.

Digestive system

Laughter is one of the best natural ways to fight constipation by causing abdominal gymnastics, a deep shuffling of the digestive tract. In addition, the forced expiration of laughter expels the air contained in the upper part of the digestive tract. There is also an increase in the secretion of saliva and digestive juices, which facilitates digestion.

Pain

Laughter helps fight pain through four mechanisms:

1. Laughter distracts attention;
2. Laughter reduces muscle tension thanks to its relaxing effect;
3. Laughter changes the attitude;

Laughter increases the production of endorphins (the body's morphine) and catecholamines (which influence mood).

To remember

Emotions and stress have a chemical language. Laughter can both rebalance the system and change the way we look at life. In addition, you don't need a reason to laugh, you don't need to be happy or funny; laughing, even forced, has benefits. In fact, the lungs don't make a difference!

Research also shows that there is a certain congruence between emotions and body posture, and vice versa. For example, a depressed person will tend to wear loosely and be more curvy, while a person with better spirits will have more energy and vitality. So, when we have negative thoughts, when we are under stress, why not take a quick trip? This will send new messages and possibly contribute to rebalancing emotions.

The greatest comedy is often the human comedy. Human beings have a tendency to take everything too seriously. In fact, we impose very precise rules to follow, we develop a belief system that is often based, basically, on irrational thoughts: everything must be easy, we must always succeed, everyone must love us, not to mention all the “I must, we must”. Who said, one day, that you can't go out if the bed isn't made? That's how it is, you follow the rules even if you don't know where they come from...

Even if life brings its share of joys but also sorrows (life is not just a rose garden, they say), it is possible to learn to de-dramatize, to let go, to break the routine and to know how to laugh at yourself. You can make a survival kit to defuse seriousness, let off steam a bit: fake nose, magic wand, winner's crown, doggie, etc. You can also dance, even alone at home. It's about letting your imagination run wild and breaking the great seriousness that is in us. Remember: put a smile on your face, it pays off!

“Like an uncorked bottle of champagne, laughter allows inner stress to overflow.”

Lise Lussier

Psychologist

Oncology/palliative care, Verdun Hospital

CSSS du Sud-Ouest—Verdun

Montreal (Quebec)

Canada

Bibliographical references

COUSINS, NORMAN. “The biology of hope”, Paris, Seuil, 1991. JAFFE, DENNIS T. “Healing is in itself”, Paris, J'ai Lu, 1993. RUBINSTEIN, HENRI. “Psychosomatics of laughter”, Paris, Laffont, 1983.

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