Laughter is the best medicine, and it’s something that we all need to take more of. Laughing has been found to boost immunity, relieve stress, improve moods, and even make you live longer. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of laughter and why all of us need to laugh more often!
But first…What is Laughter? And What is Humour?
Laughter is the physiological reaction to something pleasant or funny that typically consists of rhythmical, audible contracts of the diaphragm. Humour is the quality of providing amusement or provoking laughter.
Hang on a second, though. Likely, you didn’t come here to hear about how laughter is a series of involuntary actions involving parts of your respiratory system. After all, with as much as we can understand and explain laughter as a physical reflex with benefits explained largely by chemicals – laughter remains somewhat a mystery, and there’s no scientific consensus on what makes us laugh!
So, instead, you may choose to think about it this way: laughter is the sound of happiness, and humour is the ability to see the funny side of life!
No matter how you look at it, they are both very important in our lives, as they allow us to release tension and stress and make us happier overall. It releases endorphins that make you experience positive feelings in your mind, body, and soul.
The Benefits of Laughter
There are many benefits to laughter. Some of these benefits include:
- Boosts immunity: Laughter is a great way to boost your immune system, as it helps to increase your oxygen intake and the number of antibodies and T-cells in your body. This means that you’re less likely to get sick because you’re keeping your blood pumping with fresh O2 and your heart, lungs, and muscles stimulated!
- Relieves stress: When we laugh, it causes our bodies to produce endorphins. These are the same chemicals that our bodies release when we exercise, and they help relieve stress and anxiety. Those with a more developed sense of humour are less likely to feel stressed, depressed, or anxious.
- Improves mood: Laughter releases serotonin in your brain, a chemical responsible for making us feel happy!
- Makes you live longer: Researchers have found that women who laugh more often tend to live longer than those who don’t. This is because laughter helps to reduce stress and keep our minds and bodies healthy. Laughter is also linked to the healthy function of blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Energizes your brain: When you find something humorous, your brain works hard to process the absurdity of the situation. Imagine what a little daily boost in your cerebral cortex functioning could help you accomplish and overcome.
The Power of Laughter in Relationships
Laughter is the best way to keep your relationships strong and healthy. It is a reflex that demonstrates how we humans are social animals. We laugh when we feel comfortable with other people and share thoughts, feelings, or emotions.
When you’re laughing at someone’s joke or comment, it means that the two of you have similar views on life situations or perspectives about something. For this reason, laughter helps us bond as friends, partners, relatives, and even just strangers.
How to Laugh More Often – Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
So, how can you laugh more often when you don’t feel like it? Here are a few tips:
- Watch funny movies or TV shows.
- Spend time with friends who make you laugh.
- Go to comedy clubs or watch stand-up comedy.
- Play games that make you laugh, such as Pictionary or Charades.
- Tell jokes (even if you’re not that funny, there’s always Google).
- Read humorous books or articles.
- Follow comedians and others who make you laugh on social media.
- Learn to laugh at yourself, one awkward moment or spilt coffee at a time!
The bottom line is, the more things you can find to laugh at, the more things you’ll find funny. In other words, laughter is contagious – even hearing the sound of laughter prompts our facial muscles to join in, and it can be hard to stop. Talk about one way to build your sense of humour – it’s the feel-good reward for opening yourself up to humour!
