Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. Laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity. Positive psychology names the propensity for laughter and sense of humor as one of the 24 main signature strengths one can possess.
Unfortunately, however, many people don’t get enough laughter in their lives.
One study suggests that healthy children may laugh as much as 400 times per day, but adults tend to laugh only 15 times per day.
Other studies find us laughing a little more than that, but if you ask me, virtually all of us could use a little more laughter in our lives, considering how beneficial a good laugh can be for our stress levels and overall wellness.
Health benefits of laughter
When we laugh, our bodies undergo physiological changes. Laughter inhibits the production of stress chemicals such as cortisol. It also causes the release of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, which have soothing and anti-anxiety properties. Laughter, in general, causes physical changes in the body that alleviate stress symptoms.
8 health benefits of laughter:
- Relieves Tension. Laughter can improve circulation and muscular relaxation, which can help alleviate some stress-related physical symptoms.
- Improves your immune system. Positive thoughts (the kind that makes you laugh) generate neuropeptides that help you fight stress and other ailments.
- Relieves pain. Believe it or not, laughter can trigger the body to produce its natural pain medications, which may help you feel better.
- Helps to deal with challenging situations. Consider when you were going through a difficult situation, and someone made a joke to help you laugh. It does work on occasion. Give it a shot. Also, don’t you feel closer to your friends and family when you laugh together?
- Increases endorphins and stimulates organs. Laughter increases your oxygen intake, stimulates your heart and muscles, and increases the endorphins released by your brain. Endorphins produce a pleasurable sensation in the body.
- It makes you feel better. Laughter can help you feel better by reducing depression and anxiety.
- Calories are burned. Fifteen minutes of laughter can burn between 10 – 40 calories, depending on your weight and how intense your laughter is.
- It improves blood flow.
Try to laugh more often.
When someone tells you a joke, laugh. Consider some amusing incidents from your daily life. Make it a priority to see a stand-up comedian or spend time with your hilarious friends or family. Laugh. Isn’t it lovely? Make an effort to chuckle. Once you’ve started laughing, observe how your muscles feel less tense and how relaxed you are. That’s what we’re discussing. Don’t you feel a lot better now? There’s a good possibility you will. That’s the power of a good laugh.