Introduction: We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine, and we feel it in our bones to be true. But is it? How and why?
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Laughter
Is it the best medicine? According to Mayo Clinic, it has both short term and long term benefits.
Short term:
A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:
- Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
- Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
- Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
Long Term:
Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up, though. It’s also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:
- Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
- Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
- Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
- Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.
How weird is this:
Humans are not the only species capable of nonverbal vocalizations like laughing. For a deep dive into scientific research on laughter, Sophie Scott from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in the UK wrote a brilliant piece in 2016. Can you guess which other species are capable of laughter?
How awesome is this:
Humor also helps Veterans with illness prevention and recovery. J. Adam Rindfleisch, MPhil, MD authored a well researched piece peppered with humor. It includes a couple tips on mindful awareness. The very question “How much laughter is in your day?” sparks our conscious awareness to look for humor. Mindfulness is the first step in gratitude, which is a whole other dimension to wellness.
I think the coolest thing about Dr. Rindfleish’s article is there’s such a thing as Laughter Yoga.
Conclusion
All in all, laughter produces short term and long term health benefits, so when you tell someone “Laughter is the best medicine,” you’re being completely honest and backed up by science.
Which of these do you do or will you try? Leave a comment.
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