Giving the lingering economic hardship in the country, a group of cardiologists have asked Nigerians to embrace laughter as a way of surviving the situation.
According to the group, laughter helps to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack. They also emphasized that laughter regulate the stress hormones and enhances blood flow and also improves vascular function.
The cardiologists noted that laughter positively affects the body and mind. This is because it triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Thereby promoting a sense of well-being and improving the immune system.
Recall that Nigeria is currently facing rising prices of food items and transportation. A situation many believed to have been caused by the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023 and the decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to float the Naira against other currencies.
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, economic crisis leads to secondary mental health problems. A situation that could increase suicide and alcohol death rates.
However, the British Heart Foundation notes that laughing with friends or giggling over a favourite comedy show makes one feel good. It also makes the heart healthier.
According to a study by Brazilian Professor, Marco Saffi, and his team presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2023, showed that people with coronary heart disease who regularly watched comedy shows had better heart and circulatory system health. This is compared to those who watched serious documentaries.
The study further showed that laughter therapy led to improvements in the heart and circulation rates. This is as the arteries were able to expand to a greater extent and oxygen flow around the body improved.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the physicians said that genuine laughter could be used as therapy. They noted that laughter enables the muscles to relax, and reduces stress hormones and blood pressure.
A Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Professor Augustine Odili, said laughter had been good for cardiovascular systems and the general well-being of humans.
The expert, who is also the National President of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, explained that once the laughter is a genuine one, that comes from the within and not the one forced on a sad mind, it has the potential to reduce issues of cardiovascular challenges.
Odili said, “We know from studies that the act of laughter could be a therapy. But I can’t say the quantity that makes it a therapy. For instance, I can’t say five minutes or 10 minutes of laughter per day is required to have good cardiovascular health.
“But the research by the British Heart Foundation that mentioned three minutes of genuine smiles could be a strong point. Trying to make someone laugh when they feel like crying is not that. But if you are open to it, you can shift your mood in an instant by watching something funny or laughing with somebody.
“It can be helpful and may create a sense of safety and warmth. Laughter is often referred to as a good medicine, and good for many reasons. Medically, laughter has numerous health benefits that positively impact both the body and mind.
“Even the Bible says that a cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Laughter is good and it helps to lighten up the burdened heart.
“In fact, in the case of people who drink, we have tried to determine the reason their system is good despite drinking. Whether it is the drinks or that people who drink are naturally happy.
“But it was also discovered that most times, when these people drink, they are happy. And they compose some songs, singing and laughing. And this improved their vascular system.
“So, laughing is good for the entire body and health. In the current Nigeria, I will encourage people to do what makes them laugh and happy. Laughter is healthy and could be therapy.”
Odili, therefore, affirmed the fact that laughter helps to draw up oxygen that helps the total body circulation system.
The cardiologist and specialist in hypertension, therefore, urged Nigerians to do anything that would make them laugh and happy, He noted that this would help them reduce stress. Noting that stress is a major problem with vascular problems, including strokes.
According to Odili, laughter trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Which could elevate mood and promote a sense of well-being. He, therefore, emphasized that this biochemical response helped reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
The cardiologist also added that laughter could stimulate circulation and improve cardiovascular health. Thus, enhancing blood flow, leading to improved vascular function and potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
Speaking in the vein as Odili, a Consultant Cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr. Adesanya Olusegun-Joseph said laughter therapy could improve the heart and circulation conditions.
He noted that during laughter, the arteries could expand and increase oxygen flow around the body.
According to him, this would lead to the reduction of the inflammation markers in the blood. Which could predict the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
He said, “Other research has shown the positive effects of laughter on the body. Laughter releases endorphins, known as ‘feel-good hormones.’ It increases the oxygen-rich air one takes in and reduces stress hormones. Bringing down the heart rate and blood pressure and causing muscles to relax.”
source: PUNCH
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
