In Case You Haven't Heard…

Can both laughter and yoga reduce stress and anxiety in children? Newly published research suggests they can. A systematic review examining laughter yoga — a structured mind‐body practice combining intentional laughter, breathing and gentle movement — found the approach significantly reduced stress and anxiety among children while improving select physical health outcomes, according to a news release from Southern California University of Health Sciences. The study, co‐authored by Southern California University of Health Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow Özüm Erkin, Ph.D., MSc, analyzed six experimental studies involving 305 children ages 5 to 18 across educational and clinical settings. Results showed consistent reductions in stress, general anxiety and test anxiety, along with improvements in pain, fatigue and immune function, as measured by increased salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). The findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting integrative, non‐pharmacological approaches to pediatric health. “What stood out was the consistency of beneficial outcomes across settings,” Erkin said. “Whether implemented in schools, clinical environments or community programs, laughter yoga demonstrated comparable reductions in stress and anxiety.”