The Power of Laughter: Why Humor Is So Good for You
Laughter truly is the best medicine. While it's obvious that laughing makes you feel good, the physical and psychological benefits of laughter are nothing short of astonishing. When you chuckle, giggle or guffaw, your body experiences a wide range of positive effects, from reduced stress to improved cardiovascular health.
Learning to laugh more and incorporate humor into your daily life can work wonders for your overall well-being. Read on to understand why laughter is so beneficial and how you can add more of it into your routine.
Laughter Releases Feel-Good Chemicals in the Brain
When you laugh, your brain produces more of certain hormones and neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and satisfaction. Endorphins are released, giving you a natural high and leaving you in a state of euphoria. Laughter also leads to the production of dopamine, the feel-good chemical associated with reward and motivation.
In addition, laughter decreases levels of certain stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. By lowering stress and inducing a state of calm, laughter allows your body to relax both physically and mentally. It essentially signals to your nervous system that everything is OK and there is no danger present.
Laughter Enhances Mood and Eases Anxiety
It's not surprising that laughter can instantly boost your mood when it causes such an improvement in brain chemistry. Amusing videos, funny stories and comedy acts are guaranteed pick-me-ups when you're feeling low.
Laughter also helps ease anxiety and depressive symptoms. It serves as a distraction from worried thoughts and negative feelings. Laughing along with others also promotes a sense of connection and belonging, combating lonely or isolating emotions.
Interestingly, you don't even have to experience real laughter to reap the mood-enhancing rewards. Just imagining yourself laughing can lighten your mood and give you an emotional boost.
Laughter Strengthens Relationships
Shared laughter is a powerful tool for building and improving relationships. Playful banter and inside jokes create intimacy and help form bonds between family members, friends, and romantic partners.
Laughter promotes togetherness. Chortling along with others is a signal of understanding and empathy. It conveys that you find the same things amusing and share a similar mindset and perspective.
Laughing together also diffuses tension or arguments. It's hard to stay angry or irritated at someone when you're both overcome by giggles. Sharing a chuckle reconnects you and gets your relationship back on positive ground.
Laughter Improves Cardiovascular Health
Belly laughs provide a mini workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory and facial muscles. The act of laughing involves taking in more oxygen, speeding up your heart rate and circulating blood flow.
As a result, laughter improves circulation and lowers blood pressure. It can even help strengthen and tone abs. One study found that anticipating a laugh reduced certain stress hormones that constrict blood vessels by up to 70% in people prone to giggling.
Laughter may also help defend against heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. It appears to increase HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol. Higher HDL levels reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.
Laughter Boosts Immunity
A hardy chuckle strengthens your immune response and may protect you against illness and disease. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies.
It also helps increase antibody-producing cells that target specific pathogens. In one study, people watching a humorous film had increases in activated T-cells, antiviral proteins, and other immunity markers.
Frequent laughter may reduce your susceptibility to colds, flu and other viruses. It can also lessen symptoms and duration if you do come down with something.
Laughter Promotes Relaxation
As discussed previously, laughter eases tension throughout the body and releases feel-good chemicals that induce calm. It acts as a direct counter to the major physical effects of stress, including muscle tightness, increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
By triggering your relaxation response, laughter lets your body return to a balanced state. It provides an instant vacation from worry or anxiety whenever you need it.
Laughing along with others is especially powerful for relaxation. The shared experience brings people together on both emotional and physiological levels.
Laughter Works Your Abs and Facial Muscles
A good hearty guffaw engages various muscles throughout your face, torso and abdomen. These include your zygomatic major muscles (corners of the mouth), orbicularis oculi muscles (eye region) and diaphragm.
Laughing essentially sculpts and tones these muscles through repeated contraction and relaxation. It provides an internal workout that keeps your facial muscles supple and your abdominal muscles strong.
Some researchers compare laughing to doing abdominal crunches or running on a treadmill due to the physical exertion involved. The more you laugh, the more defined your ab muscles will become over time.
Tips for Laughing More Throughout Your Day
Looking for ways to add more giggles and glee to your daily routine? While you can't force laughter, you can create opportunities for humor and increase your exposure to funny, amusing or joyful stimuli. Here are some tips:
Watch Funny Shows, Movies and Online Videos
Make time to watch comedy specials, funny sitcoms or amusing movie comedies. There are endless hilarious videos available on streaming sites and YouTube as well.
Put on a comedy act while getting ready in the morning, winding down at night or during household chores. Try creating a dedicated "laughter hour" one evening per week for committed chuckling.
Read Humor Columns and Comic Strips
Pick up the funny papers or visit humor websites when you need a lift. Seek out amusing news satire pieces or check out meme galleries for a quick laugh.
Subscribe to a humor writer's newsletter or follow witty Twitter accounts. Sites like The Onion and McSweeney's offer daily or weekly humor delivered straight to your inbox.
Listen to Comedy Podcasts
Tune in to podcasts focused on comedy or that feature funny hosts bantering back and forth. Top picks include Comedy Bang! Bang!, How Did This Get Made? and improv4humans.
You can listen while commuting, running errands, exercising or doing household chores. Laughter is a great way to make tedious tasks more amusing.
Go To Live Comedy Performances
Watching others laugh often triggers laughter as well. Attend stand-up shows at local clubs, comedy improv performances or traveling stand-up acts when they come to town.
Many venues also offer open mic nights where you can catch rising talent for free or low cost. Supporting local comedians is a win-win.
Spark Joy Through Play and Silliness
Incorporate more playfulness into your interactions with loved ones. Tell jokes and funny stories or engage in friendly pranks. Break out childhood games for nostalgic fun.
Act silly and goofy together. Do ridiculous dances, wear humorous costumes or hats, or make funny faces. It's contagious!
Practice Laughing Yoga
Laughing yoga, or "Laughter Yoga," combines yogic breathing with simulated laughter to obtain the same benefits as spontaneous laughs. Sessions involve laughing exercises, humor and playfulness.
The practice triggers real mirth and laughter as a response. Classes are held across the globe - look online to find one near you.
Surround Yourself with Humor and Joy
Keep humor magazines within reach and post amusing cartoons or comics around your home or office. Choose upbeat, funny ringtones for your phone.
Buy silly toys or props like whoopee cushions and novelty glasses. Apply decals with funny quotes or jokes. Try to find humor and moments of levity within everyday situations.
The Takeaway
Laughter really is amazing medicine. It makes you feel good, lowers stress, enhances relationships, and provides a wealth of physical and emotional health benefits. Looking for more giggles? Try smiling at strangers or adopting a silly walk.
Remember - being able to laugh at yourself and absurdities is often the key to humor. Approach life with a playful attitude and you'll be rewarded with chuckles galore.
FAQs
What are some of the health benefits of laughter?
Laughter provides many health benefits including lowering stress hormones, boosting the immune system, enhancing mood, improving blood flow, and relaxing muscles. Laughing actually causes physical changes in the body that promote overall wellness.
How does laughter strengthen relationships?
Shared laughter builds intimacy in relationships. It signals mutual understanding and connection. Laughing together also diffuses tension and brings people together. It's hard to stay angry or upset when laughing with someone.
Why does laughter boost mood?
Laughter triggers the brain's reward system and leads to the release of feel-good chemicals like endorphins and dopamine. It also decreases stress hormones like cortisol that can contribute to anxiety or depression.
Are there physical exercises I can do to laugh more?
Yes, laughing yoga combines simulated laughter with yogic breathing to provide a full-body laugh workout. Laughter exercises at home involve deep breathing and activating smile muscles to trigger laughter.
What are easy ways to incorporate more laughter in my day?
Watch funny videos, listen to comedy podcasts, read humor columns, attend comedy shows, play silly games with friends or family, and seek out reasons to laugh throughout your day.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment