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Writer's pictureSusan Baker

It’s No Joke! Laughter Really is the Best Medicine!

How Laughter Relieves Stress



Laughing Physically Changes Your Body

Boosts Your Immune System Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Stimulates Organs to Prevent Heart Disease & Lower Stress Hormones Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Laughter protects the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Decreases Pain Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Relaxes Muscles & Soothes Tension Laughter can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress. A hearty laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure which leaves you feeling relaxed. A good laugh can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Improves Longevity of Life: Laughter may even help you to live longer A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don't laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

Laughter Even Burns Calories

Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.




Mental Health Benefits of Laughter


Adds Joy and Zest to Life

Laughter increases personal satisfaction by making it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.

Eases Anxiety and Tension

Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. You can't feel anxious, angry, or sad when you're laughing.

Improves Mood

Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, and keeps you grounded.

Makes You Feel Good

Laughter makes you feel good. And this positive feeling remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

Strengthens Resilience

Laughter makes us more focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh, can go a long way toward making you feel better!




Social Benefits of a Good Laugh


Attracts Others to Us

Laughter draws you closer to others. Sharing a laugh makes people more approachable. Make it a habit to spend time with friends who makes you laugh. And then return the favor by sharing funny stories or jokes with those around you. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body.


Enhances Teamwork & Group Bonding

Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.


Laughter is Contagious

Ever hear someone laugh and you start laughing too? Just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.



Simple Ways to Add Some Laughs to Your Life


Laugh and the World Laughs with you

Find a way to laugh about your own situations and watch your stress begin to fade away. Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing. It does your body good.


Knock, knock

Find a joke book and add a few jokes to your list that you can share with friends at a party or at work.

Go Out for Comedy Night: Grab your friends and hit a comedy club for the night for an opportunity for fun and laughter.


Add Some Humor to Your Work Station

Fill your office cubicle or desk with photos or quotes that make you chuckle. Hang them so you get a good laugh throughout the day.


Surprise Your Friend or Partner with a Funny Gif

Get your friends giggling with a good laugh from funny movies, TV shows, or comedy videos for an added humor boost.


Humor Podcasts or Funny Reels

Look online at joke websites or silly videos. Listen to humorous podcasts. Watch silly dog or cat videos that make you laugh.


Try Laughter Yoga

Yes, this is a real thing! In laughter yoga, people practice laughter as a group. Laughter is forced at first, but it can soon turn into spontaneous laughter.





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