Totem Bird of the Week - 'Kookaburra'

The totem bird of the week, for Monday 4th October to Sunday 10th October 2021, is the iconic Kookaburra. The medicine of the Kookaburra relates to using laughter as a form of healing. Laughter has a positive and uplifting effect on the body; the old saying “laughter is the best medicine” has a lot of truth to it. Laughter has many healing properties that are not limited to just mental health or reducing stress.

If you are suffering from grief or depression, laughing at a funny joke can bring momentarily relief. Depression is accompanied by suppression of the pleasure-enhancing neurochemicals in the brain. Persons suffering from chronic depression often admit, “Nothing is funny to me.” Laughter reverses this process by triggering the release of feel-good neurohormones, such as endorphins and dopamine. Researchers believe that laughter activates the pleasure pathways in the brain.

Physiologically laughter is just the opposite of the stress response. Stress and tension elevate stress hormones, tighten muscles, constrict blood vessels, upset neuro-hormones, depress the immune system, and overload the heart. Laughter relieves tension, lowers stress hormones, improves neuro-chemistry, settles the heart, and boosts the immune system. So, laugh often; it’s good for your health!