Laughter stimulates blood circulation and helps our muscles relax which, in turn, helps reduce any physical symptoms of stress. It also helps us cope with challenging situations and people.
Extends life/longevity
Laughter is not just limited to reducing stress levels, improving mental health, and exercising our facial muscles. Laughter, according to Dr Sears of the Wellness Institute "has many positive physiological effects as well such as boosting and strengthening the body's immunity which in turn, promotes longevity".
In his book, Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient, Norman Cousins calls laughter "inner jogging" because a good belly laugh positively affects all systems in the body. (As a little bonus to those who struggle with weight – laughter burns calories.)
Strengthens the heart
Like an aerobic workout, laughter works out the heart by increasing heart rate and circulation. Best of all? The body continues to enjoy improved/increased circulation and a state of relaxation even after the laughter subsides.
Anger, the opposite of laughter, is a negative emotion that raises blood pressure and likely the reason why intense arguments are referred to as "heated arguments". They unnecessarily raise blood pressure and spend a lot of precious life energy.
The reality is overly serious people do not contribute to their health but place extra stress and strain on themselves, causing them to experience higher rates of heart disease.
Builds immunity
Studies done in a relatively new field of research called psychoneuroimmunology, discovered that depression suppresses the body's immune system.
Further research at Loma Linda University School of Medicine on medical students discovered that those that enjoyed comedy videos experienced lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol while experiencing significantly higher T-cells circulating through the body. These T-cells are germ eradicators.
Moral of the story. Laughter boosts and stimulates our immunity and the production of natural killer cells while stressful experiences do the opposite – suppress their production.
Exercises the lungs
We have all enjoyed many belly-laughs for one reason or another, and we'd be lying if we said we did not feel energised by it. So, what is going on? Laughter exercises our lungs as it uses and vibrates our muscles enhancing our intake of oxygen-rich air.
Research continually proves that humour, happiness and laughter all play major roles towards keeping our bodies strong, healthy and alive.
Laughter and happiness go hand in hand. Happy people are healthier people. They treat themselves with the same loving touch they offer others. They eat healthier foods and exercise regularly because they know it is key to keeping their lungs, hearts, muscles and bones strong. They also sleep better, helping their memory/brains cognitive functions. In other words, their needs are first on their priority list.
Bottom line is this
Laughter is a feel-good tonic we all have access to - when we feel good, we function better. It is a major element towards relieving tension, lowering stress, strengthening our hearts, lungs, muscles and bones, boosting immunity and ultimately lengthening our lives.
"Laugh and the world laughs with you." A healthy sense of humour is not a cure-all but it sure is a healthy step in the right direction. Stress levels diminish when we are able to laugh at ourselves and the situations we find ourselves in.
Feeling down or depressed? Suffering from grief or need a lift in spirit? Feeling mentally or physically challenged and energetically drained?
Laughter is the best medicine. No joke. It is the healing balm that works for everyone.
The proof is in the pudding. Next time you're engulfed in laughter, take note of how muscles release tension, the mind relaxes (almost as though a tornado came through and cleared the debris), and your body feels buoyant, all at the same time, all the result of laughter.
It's the sublime but amazing nature of laughter at our service.
Carolyn Hansen is the Co-owner Anytime Fitness
