Health Benefits Of Laughter

For those who have seen “Patch Adams,” starring Robin Williams, the health benefits of laughter may already be somewhat familiar.

However, while Hollywood may have provided a brief introduction to the health benefits, laughing does much more than just making us feel good. Read on for why you should have a good chuckle today:

Laughter Reduces Stress

It’s hard to be in a bad mood or stressed out about something when you’re in the middle of giggling, and there’s a scientific reason for that.

During periods of laughter, the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine are actually reduced, causing that “feel good” feeling that’s associated with laughter. Next time you’re feeling stressed, watch some comedy or seek out a good joke to calm your nerves.

Laughter Improves Blood Flow and Pressure

When people are exposed to stressful or dramatic situations, movies, or plays, their blood vessels tend to constrict, which restricts blood flow.

Comedy, on the other hand, which usually elicits laughter, allows for normal expansion and contraction of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more regularly.

Additionally, laughter has been linked to more balanced blood pressure levels, and is even believed to help combat heart disease thanks to laughter’s ability to increase oxygenation of the blood as well as circulation.

Laughing Keeps You Fit

Some research has shown that laughing 100 times is just as effective as rowing for 10 minutes or using the stationary bike for 10. This is because laughing provides a burst of aerobic exercise.

Incorporating a lot of laughter in your life isn’t a reason to skip out on the gym, though! Just consider it an additional benefit.

Laughter Helps Your Immune System

Thanks to all the other benefits of laughter, like aerobic bursts, decreased stress (which leads to better sleep), and increased blood flow, laughter has been linked to a healthier immune system.

Laughter has also been shown to increase levels of immunoglobulin A in the body, which is a type of antibody that’s essential in protecting your body from bacteria and viruses.

Laughter also has a positive response on B cells and lymphocytes, both of which work to fight against harmful viruses that attack your immune system. Essentially, laughing helps to keep you healthy.

Laughing Makes You Feel Better

Laughing doesn’t just make you feel less stressed; it also helps you to cope with pain, too. Because laughter releases endorphins, laughter can help with both pain tolerance and coping with pain—i.e., it helps you to handle a negative situation in a more positive manner, even when that situation is physical and painful.

Laughter Brings People Together

Laughter is contagious, and the more you laugh, the more people you’ll attract to you. The next time you’re in a bad mood or something inconvenient happens, trying shrugging it off with a joke and laugh rather than venting or stewing about it.

People aren’t attracted to people who are negative; rather, people enjoy being around others who can make the best of a bad situation. If you want to boost your social status, simply try laughing more—you’ll be surprised by how well it works.

The next time you’re feeling bored or blue, buy some comedy tickets and get out of the house with some friends for a night of laughter and fun.