Laughter & Music Reduce High Blood Pressure

In a recent study on high blood pressure in Japan, 79 people aged between 40 and 74 were assigned to 1 of 3 groups:

• group 1 listened to music, sang and stretched
• group 2 took part in "laughter yoga" which combines breathing exercises and laughter stimulated by "playful eye contact", and also watched traditional japanese sitcoms
•  the third group was a control group, which had neither music nor laughter.

The findings were good news for those suffering from hypertension;

After 3 months, blood pressure was reduced by 6mmHg in the music group, and reduced by 5mmHg in the laughter group. There was no change in the control group.

Even more interestingly, when blood pressure was measured immediately after the music sessions, it also showed 6mmHg of a decrease, & the laughter sessions reduced BP by 7mmHg. 

It seems that when it comes to hypertension, this study suggests that laughter may truly be the best medicine.