Laughter is a natural medicine that can improve your mood, strengthen your immune system and even combat stress.
From the stress of running a family to anxiety from work, we all could use a little more laughter in our lives.
But is laughing good for you?
Below are research-backed ways laughter can help relieve stress, plus seven creative ways to add more laughter into your life.
Scientifically Proven Ways Laughter Can Relieve Stress
The real health benefits of genuine laughter cited by researchers are plenty. We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. From boosting your immune system to increasing endorphins to your brain, below are scientifically proven ways a giggle can help you combat stress and increase your physical and mental health.
Physical health benefits
Stimulates your organs: When you laugh, you take in more oxygen-rich air. This stimulates your lungs, heart and muscles.
Relaxes your muscles: When you get stressed, your body tenses up and can cause you to feel stuck. A good laugh can relieve physical tension in the body and relax the muscles for up to 45 minutes.
Improves cardiac health: Laughing increases your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood. This can improve vascular function and decrease the risk of a heart attack.
Boosts immune system: When you’re stressed, negative thoughts can turn into chemical reactions that decrease your immunity to sickness. When you laugh, you adopt a positive mindset that can release infection-fighting antibodies and neuropeptides that help fight stress.
Lowers blood pressure: Laughter releases endorphins that counteract the negative effects of stress hormones—lowering your blood pressure as a result.
Helps with weight loss: A common side effect of chronic stress is weight gain. Laughing not only reduces the stress hormones that cause weight gain, but it also burns calories.
Mental health benefits
Provides distraction: When you laugh, you aren’t thinking about that assignment that is overdue or the big final you have coming up next week. Laughter provides your brain with a break from the worrying thoughts that cause stress.
Improves your mood: Nothing squashes a bad mood quite like a good laugh. Laughing produces a general sense of well-being and can diffuse the anger and depression you were once feeling.
Reduces stress hormones: Cortisol is our primary stress hormone that circulates throughout the body when you’re feeling stressed. Genuine laughter can decrease cortisol levels by increasing your intake of oxygen and stimulating circulation throughout the body.
Increases endorphins: Endorphins are those “feel-good” chemicals produced by your brain that help boost happiness levels. Laughing increases the number of endorphins released in your body, fighting off stress and promoting a positive mood.
Strengthens relationships: A shared laugh with friends, family or a coworker can help you feel more connected to that person and form a strong and lasting bond. Humor is also a powerful way to heal past disagreements or resentments.
7 Ways to Add More Laughter to Your Life
• Spend time with pets: Pets, such as dogs and cats, are a source of laughter and joy for many people. If you don’t have a pet, consider asking a friend to pet-sit theirs or volunteer at an animal shelter in your free time.
• Listen to a funny podcast: On your way to work or school, listen to a funny podcast to start your day off with a laugh.
• Try laughter yoga: Laughter yoga is a new take on yoga that encourages prolonged voluntary laughter. Try out a class by yourself or take it with a friend next time you’re feeling stressed.
• Laugh at yourself: Learning to laugh at yourself is one of the best ways you can add more laughter into your life. Next time you do something that would otherwise upset you, try to find the positive in the situation.
• Alter your environment: Your environment can play a huge part in your mood. Reshape your work or study area to include things that make you smile, like a picture with friends from a funny night out, or a photo of your favourite pet in a hilarious situation.
• Host a game night: Nothing beats a shared laugh. Invite some friends over for a game night and play party-style games like Charades or Bingo.
• Spend time with playful people: We tend to be influenced by the people we hang around. Make an effort to hang out more with the funniest friend in your circle. Ask them to get coffee or lunch and talk about the silly things that happened in your day.
Whether you’re stressed about the people in your life or your current workload, making an effort to engage in some of the above activities and laugh a little can help mitigate any excess stress.
Whichever way you choose to add more laughter into your life, maintaining a healthy mindset is important for young and old.
♥️
Ｃａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & COACH
Catherine is a heart-centred empowerment coach who specialises in helping people create confidence, fully nourish their self esteem and nurture self-love.
Her work centres on supporting people’s journey in finding ease and healing from the grips of anxiety, depression, grief, self-sabotage and anger.
Catherine is a mindset expert who will help you break down ‘thought barriers’ and self limiting beliefs so you can let go of the self-doubt, find joy while being unapologetically yourself.
She specifically works with you on how to stand in your truth, show up as your authentic self, and let go of the masks.
Catherine will share with you how to step into your power and confidently live the life you deserve and desire.
She offers her wise words, actions, and guidance to help you connect positively with your body, mind and soul.
Her sessions provide you with real-life the support and the readily accessible tools you need to achieve this.
Comments