Laughter: The Good Your Body and Soul Needs

In challenging times it is very easy to not see humor in anything.  Certainly the anxiety from seeing people ill or the threat of becoming ill causes increased stress and nervousness.   It is so important that we do laugh and keep a sense of humor in difficult times because as it turns out there is scientific evidence for saying: Laughter is the best medicine.

What are the benefits?

Let’s review some benefits of laughter and humor.

Relieve pain.  When we laugh our body produces its own natural painkillers.

Improve your mood and decrease depression and anxiety. Laughter itself , in addition to releasing our own natural painkillers, can release endorphins that can improve our mood and make us feel happier.

Increase your body’s immunity.  When under stress, worrying about money, health, or family, your body is in a constant state of stress.  Stress releases adrenaline.  Adrenaline increases your blood pressure, makes you hyperaware of everything going on around you, increases your pulse, puts stress on the heart, and makes your body have an increase susceptibility to illness.   Laughter, humor, and positive thoughts can actually reverse adrenaline’s action and increase your body’s immune system.

Bring people together.  Laughter binds people together and can increase positive relationships. Try it! Laugher is contagious.

Create new perspective. Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a threat or a challenge. Humor can give us a new perspective and help us view the situation as a challenge and thus less threatening. It can help one reframe a problem.

Soothe tension. Laughter can stimulate circulation and aid in muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety.

What next?

What can you do to add or keep humor into your daily route?

• Laugh at yourself.  Look for humor in difficult situations. Sometimes during the day, the things, you do, say, or think can be quite humorous.  But be cautious of sharing, some forms of humor are inappropriate in different situations and never laugh at another’s expense.  Laugh with people, not at people.
• Find things that make you laugh, smile, chuckle, or have fond memories.  Listen to a comedian you enjoy.  Have pictures around that bring back good feelings of having fun.
• Share laughter with friends. Actually, spend time with people who are fun and make you laugh.  You don’t have to be in the same place. You can call, Skype, Zoom, or use whatever method you must to connect.

It is also just as important to know what isn’t funny.  Don’t laugh at the expense of others. Some forms of humor are not appropriate, so it is important to use judgment to discern a good laugh or joke, from a bad joke or a hurtful laugh.

So, laugh at least daily, more if you can. You can’t overdose on laughing, it really is the best medicine.