Wondering why you feel better after a good laugh?
There is reliable evidence that laughter improves various aspects of mental, emotional and life. physical health.
If you’re experiencing stress, pain, or issues with your immune system, finding ways to incorporate laughter into your daily life could be an effective remedy.
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Health experts say humor and laughter can be good medicine – and that’s no joke.
Why laughter is important
Simple, concrete steps to adding more smiles to your life can make a difference.
“People often overlook the benefits of laughter,” said one doctor. “Research shows that laughter can reduce stress, strengthen the immune system and even help relieve pain.” (iStock)
“When considering lifestyle changes to improve their health, people often overlook the benefits of laughter,” Michael Richardson, a family medicine physician at Carbon Health in Boston, told Fox News Digital.
“Research shows that laughter can reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and even help relieve pain“.
As a primary care physician, Richardson encourages patients to prioritize joy in their lives; he said laughter is a great way to do this.
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“Just like you can set aside time each week to exercise, it may be worth it to schedule moments of laughter into your daily or weekly routine,” the doctor said.
“Making it a regular habit could have a protective effect on general health“.
What is the positive impact of laughter on the body?
The body is receptive to laughter – here’s how it works.
There are two parts of the nervous system — the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, said Beth Oller, MD, a family medicine physician at Rooks County Health Center in Stockton, Kansas.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight responses, “which are activated too often in many of us, with every reason for concern in our world today.”
Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and other diseases, an expert said. (iStock)
Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system may increase the risk of heart diseasecancer, obesity and other diseases, Oller said.
“On the other hand, our parasympathetic nervous system is the one that calms our body – and exercise, meditation, deep breathing and laughter can activate this system,” the doctor continued.
“Laughter decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which helps reverse stress response“.
“Laughter is free, has no side effects, and has psychological and physical benefits.”
Some early research has shown that laughter decreases stress hormones, reduces inflammation in the arteries and increases HDL, which is the “good cholesterol,” Oller said.
“Laughter has been associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease by increasing blood flow and oxygen intake,” the doctor added. “Laughter promotes vasodilation, which leads to improved blood flow and improves circulation.”
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Laughter has also been shown to help relieve pain by releasing endorphins, boosting circulation and relaxing muscles, Oller added.
Laugh can even add years to your lifethe expert noted: “Regular laughter has been found to be associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality.”
The role of laughter in mental health
The psychological benefits of laughter have been researched for some time, according to Sara Brides, a licensed clinical social worker who treats patients at Novant Health Cancer Institute in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“Laughter can reduce stress,” she told Fox News Digital. “Our brains can cope with stress; however, remaining in a stress response for prolonged periods of time is not healthy.”
“One way to increase spontaneous laughter is to intentionally spend time with those you enjoy and who naturally make you laugh.”
When someone laughs – especially when it is spontaneous or genuine laughter – endorphins are released, cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases, and dopamine and serotonin (the happy hormones) increase .
“Dopamine is associated with a feeling of reward, pleasant sensations and motivation, and serotonin is associated with happiness, a decrease depression and anxietyas well as learning and motivation,” Brides added.
“Watch shows that make you laugh and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud,” advises one expert. (iStock)
Lightness and joy can also be a bridge to greater social openness.
“One way to increase spontaneous laughter is to intentionally spend time with those you enjoy and who naturally make you laugh,” Brides said.
Long-term benefits
A quick dose of humor is a good start, but consistent laughter could have the following long-term benefits, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Strengthening the immune system
According to the Mayo Clinic, negative thoughts can manifest as chemical reactions that can affect the body by causing more stress, meaning laughter could be a remedy for better health.
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Improved outlook
Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations and find common ground with others, underlines the same source.
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Lighter atmosphere
Laughter can help reduce stress, depression and anxietyand can make you happier by boosting your self-esteem, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Find Ways to Add Humor
Like many things in life, humor is a skill, said Kansas-based doctor Oller — and to develop a skill, practice is essential.
She suggested surrounding yourself with people who are positive and who make you laugh – or finding your own way of doing humor.
Going to a comedy show is a great way to boost “laughter therapy,” experts say. (iStock)
“Simple ways are to watch or read something funny,” the therapist explained. “There is even a practice now called laughter yoga, which focuses on breathing and simulating laughter.”
“Watch shows that make you laugh and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud. Go see a funny movie or comedy show,” Oller suggested. “My favorite way to guarantee lots of laughter is to play fun board games with my friends and family.”
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Brides, the therapist, also stressed the importance of finding ways to insert joy and laughter into life.
“Laughter is free, without side effects and has psychological and physical benefits“.