Laughter is the universal language of kindness, a stress reliever, and an immune system booster. Laughter not only feels good, but it’s also good for you. Science has proven that laughter boosts endorphins (natural painkillers), improves blood circulation, increases immunity, lowers stress hormones, and more. In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about the benefits of laughter and how you can use it as a medicine in your life. These tips are simple and easy to follow, so let’s read on and find out more!
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Laughter as a stress reliever
Stress is our body’s natural reaction to challenging situations. However, when stress becomes a constant, it is harmful to our health. Psychological stress has been shown to increase:
- blood pressure,
- heart rate,
- blood sugar levels,
- and cholesterol levels.
It has also been linked to diabetes, inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Laughter can be used to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that laughter can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, even more than relaxation techniques. So, if you are stressed out, try and have a good hearty laugh! And don’t forget to pick on this page something that will contribute to your relaxation process.
Laughter as an immune system booster
The stress response activates the sympathetic nervous system, which releases hormones that are immunosuppressive and harmful to the body. In other words, stress harms your immune system and makes you more likely to catch a cold. On the other hand, laughter has been shown to increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system and the release of endorphins, which are hormones that are immunosuppressive and helpful for the body. Laughter has also been shown to increase the number of natural killer cells, which are cells in the body that help fight disease.
Laughter is good for your heart and lungs
Laughter has been shown to increase the flow of blood to the heart by up to 30%, which is great news for your cardiovascular health. Laughter also increases the amount of air that you breathe in, which is good for your lungs. Laughter is also believed to lead to a change in blood flow: it increases blood flow in the extremities, such as the hands and feet, and also in the internal organs. This may be due to the change in breathing pattern during laughter, where the diaphragm is contracted, and the abdominal viscera are compressed.
Humor can help relieve physical pain
Studies have shown that using humor to relieve physical pain is just as effective as using painkillers. The theory behind this is that when you use humor as a coping mechanism, you are using your mind to distract you from the pain. Laughter has been shown to increase dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin levels, which are neurotransmitters involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. It has been suggested that humor can be a useful pain management technique because it affects the same parts of the brain that are targeted by painkillers.
Laughing fights depression
Although laughter can be used as a treatment for stress and physical pain, it can also be used to treat depression. Research shows that laughter can change our mood and help reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety, both of which are symptoms associated with depression. When we laugh, we release endorphins, which are our brain’s natural feel-good chemicals.
To sum up
Laughter is a great way to lift your mood if you are feeling down. Whether you watch a funny video, read a joke, or tell a funny story to a friend, you are bound to feel better afterward. So, next time you are feeling blue, try and find the humor in your situation and laugh away those negative feelings.
