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Doctor's orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week'
National
AP Wire

Doctor's orders? ‘Belly laugh at least two to five days a week'

  • By ALBERT STUMM - Associated Press
  • Updated

They say laughter is the best medicine. Michael Miller, a cardiologist and medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, says they’re right. Laughter is an obvious stress reliever. But Miller says it’s even good for your heart. Madan Kataria — a physician in Mumbai and the founder of laughter yoga — agrees. Laughter yoga involves breathing exercises, light stretches, and silly movements and sounds that force you to laugh. Kataria suggests bringing laughter into your daily life, even at things that might not seem funny. Recently, he demonstrated what he calls "credit-card-bill laughter.” He held out his hand as if looking at a statement, and burst into a roiling, infectious laughter.

National
AP

Faith leaders embrace sound baths to connect with spiritual seekers

  • By DEEPA BHARATH - Associated Press

Sound baths are meditative experiences where participants lie down and are immersed in sound waves from instruments like gongs, singing bowls and chimes. Increasingly, churches, temples and synagogues are embracing sound baths as a way of connecting with neighbors who may be spiritual but not religious. Faith leaders who offer sound baths are tailoring the practice, which some have viewed as new age, to reflect their own roots and traditions. Sound baths have surged in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic as a way to cope with stress, anxiety and isolation.