When you’re going through a stressful time in your life, laughing is often the last thing you want to do, but maybe it should be your first choice.
Did you know laughter can improve every area of your life? Humor is a strong medicine. Seek out more opportunities to laugh.
Studies have been conducted that illustrate the positive effects that laughing has on both one’s physical and mental health. Here are some of the many ways that your body adores laughter:
·
Laughing
raises your mood to joyfulness. Laughter is the fastest way to create a
positive state of mind.
·
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter
decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting
antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
·
Laughter burns calories. Laughing for 10 to
15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories, which could be enough to lose
three or four pounds over the course of a year. One minute of laughing burns
the same number of calories as 6 to 10 minutes on a treadmill.
·
Laughter
can reduce pain, and aid the healing process in the body.
·
Laughter
causes you to gulp in large portions of air, which oxygenates your blood.
·
Laughter
creates and strengthens human connections.
·
Laughter
decreases stress hormones in the body like cortisol and adrenaline. This helps
to fight off illness.
·
Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a
profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health.
·
Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces
stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.
·
Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. 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 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 protects the heart. Laughter improves the
function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you
against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
·
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty
laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up
to 45 minutes after.
·
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.
·
Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can’t feel
anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
·
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.
“Good humor is a tonic for
mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a
business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is
the direct route to serenity and contentment.”
(Grenville Kleiser)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“18 Simple Ways to Put Laughter Back Into Your Life”
by Loralee Hutton
·
“How to Laugh More – 22 Ways to
Bring More Laughter into Your Life” by Marelisa
·
“Laughter is the Best Medicine” by Helpguide.org
Inspired by Our Best Life: A Daily Devotional for
Couples by Joel & Victoria Olsteen, “A Joyful Home”
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