Oh, Laughter.....I am such a believer and getting more so every day! The problem is, I often forget about you, because I get so caught up in my own day-to-day dramas. Then without warning, you smack me in the face and force me to remember!
For the past several weeks I have had so much rib pain, then about 10 days ago, the reason for the pain, shingles. This was a first for me, but I have seen shingles in so many of my residents, as well as my mother during her cancer, I knew what it was without ever seeing a physician. I decided against any medication, not wanting to put yet more chemicals in my body; however, the pain at night has been severe...often waking me repeatedly. Honestly, laughter was the last thing on my mind.
Last Thursday I received a voicemail from a group I have never worked with before, asking if I could do a Laughter Yoga session with some of their clients. I called back and agreed I would be happy to. That session was at 1PM today.....after a miserable night of shingles pain. I even tossed around the idea of canceling because I was so tired, but something kept me from doing that.....and I am so glad it did!
It was a small group, only 5 of us, but we moved, shook (something new I have added), stretched, danced and laughed A LOT! Late-afternoon I realized I had had no pain....hmmmmm. Sitting here in bed tonight, the time when the pain has always been the worst, still nothing. Not even a twinge of pain the entire day after only an hour of laughter.....how powerful is this medicine!
A word about shingles - more prevalent in those over the age of 60 (ahem!), presenting primarily in those with compromised immune systems, cancer patients, and severe life stresses. Since my own situation agrees with all of the above, it is understandable that the shingles raised their ugly heads.
However, what would have been the result had I heeded the advice of my friend, Madan Kataria, who told me months ago I needed to laugh alone at least 15 minutes every day? The answer to that question, I will never know, but this I do know.....
Laughter decreases cortisol levels, increases endorphins, thus decreasing stress, while allowing coping skills to work better. Additionally, the act of laughing (deep breathing) increases the flow of lymph which activates a greater production of natural cancer killer cells, as well as T and B cells, thus boosting our immune systems. It sounds to me, if I had faithfully "medicated" myself daily with a healthy dose of laughter, this might have never happened.
Are shingles a precursor of yet more cancer? Possibly. Shall I faithfully "medicate" daily with laughter? ABSOLUTELY!!!
Be well, my friends......and LAUGH!
