PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS CAN BE RAISED BY A GOOD LAUGH, SAYS DOCTOR

Laughter is the key to turning untapped potential into increased productivity and well being, according to physician, Doctor Madan Kataria.

Kataria, a family doctor from India, has developed a laughter technique that encourages the increased intake of oxygen resulting in raised energy levels and overall productivity,

Known as Hasya Yoga, the therapy combines laughter exercises and deep breathing : "The breathing stimulates the calming branch of the nervous system while increasing the net supply of oxygen into the metabolism," says Kataria.

Kataria suggests 15 – 20 minutes of group laughter every day, starting with breathing exercises and combining various laughter techniques to stimulate hearty laughter, silent laughter and other laughter levels. He believes that by participating in laughter therapy, laughing becomes an easier reaction, thus overall energy and productivity levels are raised more frequently and naturally.

"According to the principles of yoga, laughter massages the digestive tract, strengthens the respiratory apparatus and improves the blood supply and circulation so that nutrients are more easily transported around the body and to the brain."

He points out that fifty years ago, research shows that adults laughed for an average of 18 minutes a day. Today, six minutes is the most the average adult manages, equal to about 15 laughs a day. On the other hand, children are said to laugh up to 400 times a day.

According to Kataria the left side of the brain is said to be limited in its analytical capabilities. While the right side, considered to house creative, intuitive abilities, has unlimited development potential : "One of the easiest ways to untap this potential is to stimulate the right side of the brain by playfulness and laughter."

He says that research shows that most subjects feel energised after a good bout of laughter : "Laughter tends to increase the intake of oxygen which boasts energy levels resulting in a sense of wellbeing."

Kataria’s observations are supported by research undertaken by Stanford University that puts one minute of laughter as equal to ten minutes on a rowing machine.

"Health maintenance too can be aided by laughter," says Kataria. "More than 70 per cent of illness such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and even some cancer bear a relation to stress. And laughter, can relieve stress while boosting the immune system which is the key to good health."

Doctor Kataria, dubbed the Guru of Giggling by some, is scheduled to laugh with Dubai audiences on November 23 and 24 at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel.

"Dubai is about to laugh as it has never laughed before," he promises.