Buskers are the best medicine

News Release
January 2007

Buskers are the best medicine

Worried about your health? Want to lose a few pounds and sharpen your mind? What you may need is a side-splitting laugh.

And that’s exactly what you will get a dose, or more, of at the World Buskers Festival in Christchurch starting on Thursday 18 January.

Medical experts say hearty laughter is not only more contagious than a cough or sniffle, it’s also good for your mental and physical wellbeing.

Christchurch mayor Garry Moore prescribes to the theory laughter is the best medicine and is hoping the city’s residents avail themselves of the opportunity for a good healthy laugh by attending as many of the World Buskers Festival events as possible.

“It’s a great way for Christchurch to start the year,’’ Mr Moore says. “Laughter is good for the soul and makes people feel better. The city is lucky to have an event like this – it helps keep us in good heart.’’

Festival director Jodi Wright said the mood in Christchurch lifted when the Buskers Festival was on and this year’s classy line-up of national and international street performers promised to have audiences in stitches.

“Those conscious of their appearance should beware that attendance at the festival is likely to result in an increase in laughter lines,’’ Wright cautioned.

A good hearty laugh can help:
* Reduce stress
* Lower blood pressure
* Elevate mood
* Boost brain functioning
* Protect the heart

Studies show people who laugh heartily on a regular basis have a lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure rises, but then it falls to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper, which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.

Laughter may also help protect you against heart disease. Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Centre have found that people with heart disease are 40 per cent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

Laughing gives your body a good workout without the need to visit the gym. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike. Your diaphragm, abdomen, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles all get a good workout when you laugh. It makes you feel good and reduces stress.

Last year 250,000 people attended 447 shows over 11 nights and 10 days of the festival and Wright is confident those numbers will be even higher this year.

This year’s festival runs from January 18 to 28.
For more information go to www.worldbuskersfestival.com.

ENDS