Laughter and weight-loss

Two thirds, or worse, of people are over-weight these days. Being overweight can make a person feel miserable. Research in the International Journal of Obesity indicates that laughter can assist in battling over-weight problems.

Researchers discovered that laughing increases both the heart rate and calorie burn by 20%. The longer people laughed, the greater effects. Just 15 minutes of laughter a day burns 40 calories.. depending on how much you weigh, and the duration and intensity of laughter.

• 15 minutes of laughter will result in 1 - 4 lbs loss of weight a year
• Giggling for 15 minutes a will burn up to 5 lbs off your weight in a year

Patch Adams, the physician and clown, made famous with the movie by the same name, with actor Robin Williams portraying Patch Adams, stated, "It's not really laughter that is a great power, but the life that leads to laughter and the readiness to laugh at things."

From a 'Yoga Laughter Leader' perspective - If there is a weight loss from laughing, it is due to people feeling better about themselves. If you can practice laughter, exercise and eat a healthy diet, people will lose weight and feel good in the process.

When we laugh, people forget about their stresses, and the problems they face, because we can't have fun and be stressed at the same time. When we are in a happier frame of mind, it becomes less difficult to take on exercise and adopt a healthier eating pattern.

So can a few minutes of laughter a day of hearty laughter replace your exercise equipment? Not likely, but giggles, laughter, or a combination of laughter and exercise, such as 'laughter Yoga' definitely does help burn calories and can help you in your weight loss program.