Have you ever been in this situation? You’re surrounded by friends, tears streaming down your face, gasping for air, and clutching your belly as a fit of uncontrollable laughter sweeps over you. Afterward, you feel lighter, rejuvenated, and as if the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. Laughter is a remarkable tonic that not only brings joy to life but also offers an abundance of health benefits.
As the great author Kurt Vonnegut once quipped, “Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.” He may have been on to something! Laughter is a natural and healthy outlet for our emotions, leaving us feeling refreshed and revitalized.
But let’s not stop at the short-term effects because laughter packs a punch that goes beyond the immediate. In the captivating realm of PNI (Psychoneuroimmunology), researchers are unearthing the profound connection between mind and body. It turns out that thoughts have the power to shape our physical well-being. Bernie Siegel, a wise soul, once said, “Thoughts are chemical; they can either kill or cure.” Who would have known?
The Health Benefits of a Deep Belly Laugh
In the short term, laughter is like a party for our organs. It stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles while releasing endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals. These chemicals make you feel relaxed and at one with the world. And not to forget, it brings personal satisfaction and helps you cope with stress.
Now, for the long-term benefits. Laughter may be a boon to your immune system by reducing stress hormones and boosting immune cells that fight pathogens. A study in diabetics found that laughter increased the expression of genes that affect the activity of immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells that fight viruses. They also found these changes could lower after-meal blood glucose levels. Plus, laughter helps lower the stress hormone cortisol that suppresses your immune system, and predisposes you to catching the next virus that comes around.
Laughter is heart-healthy too! A deep belly laugh protects your heart by enhancing blood vessel function, increasing blood flow, and lowering the risk of heart problems. Need proof? A study published in The American Journal of Cardiology found that watching a comedy boosted compliance within arteries, a mark of healthy heart function, by 10% and the effects lasted for 24 hours. However, when subjects watched a documentary, they didn’t enjoy these heart health benefits.
Another study found even after considering other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including elevated lipids, body mass index, high blood pressure, etc., the rate of heart disease was 1.21 times higher among those who rarely laughed and those who laughed daily. It’s another reason to add a little humor to your life!
While this is an associational study that doesn’t prove laughter directly causes the reduction in heart disease, adding more levity to your life has few downsides. Research suggests that 75% to 90% of health problems are directly or indirectly related to stress. So, anything that lightens our stress load is beneficial for health and well-being. Along with exercise and eating a healthy diet, making time for laughter can make you feel more content with life and even benefit heart and immune health.
Add a Little Humor to Your Day
So, how can you add more laughter to your day? First, find your funny bone. Seek out jokes, memes, or funny videos that tickle your fancy, and don’t forget to share them with others, so they can laugh too. Remember, a hearty laugh is like an instant mood booster. It’s like hitting the refresh button on your day, wiping away stress, and replacing it with a grin.
Next, embrace the art of silliness. Make funny faces in the mirror, wear mismatched socks, or do a wacky dance in the middle of your living room. Give yourself permission to be a kid again, even if for a moment. Even brief periods of playfulness can boost your mental health.
Surround yourself with funny people. Find friends or family members who can always tell a funny story that makes you smile. Call them when you’ve had a difficult day and let their comedy wash over you like a wave of delight. Keep them on speed dial.
Enjoy amusing podcasts, TV episodes, and stand-up specials. Immerse yourself in their witty banter, creative one-liners, and funny stories, and let them transport you to a world of lightheartedness and humor. Laughter can brighten even the dullest day and chase away worry.
Finally, laugh at yourself. Life is filled with embarrassments and blunders, and you shouldn’t let them define you. Instead, accept and laugh, rather than overthinking them. Laugh at your quirks. Self-mockery brightens the world.
Conclusion
Laughter is a priceless gift that can elevate your emotions and make you feel alive in a world full of stress and obstacles. And now we know it’s good for our mental and physical health. So, let the jokes fly, knowing that you’re doing your body and mind good with every deep belly laugh.
References:
- Sugawara, J., Tarumi, T., & Tanaka, H. (2010). Effect of mirthful laughter on vascular function.. The American journal of cardiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.05.011.
- 林, K., カワチ・, I., 大平, T., 近藤, K., 白井, K., & 近藤, N. (2016). Laughter is the Best Medicine? A Cross-Sectional Study of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Japanese Adults. Journal of Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.JE20150196.
- Mora-Ripoll, R. (2010). The therapeutic value of laughter in medicine. Alternative therapies in health and medicine.
- Burnout and stress are everywhere. (2023). Retrieved 28 June 2023, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress
- Hayashi, T., Tsujii, S., Iburi, T., Tamanaha, T., Yamagami, K., Ishibashi, R., Hori, M., Sakamoto, S., Ishii, H., & Murakami, K. (2007). Laughter up-regulates the genes related to NK cell activity in diabetes.. Biomedical research. https://doi.org/10.2220/BIOMEDRES.28.281.
- Hassed, C. (2001). How humour keeps you well.. Australian family physician.
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