Think back to the last time you had a good laugh. How did you feel afterwards? Elated? Joyful? Was your stomach hurting because you were laughing so hard. Well laughter is not only great for lightening your mood, it can improve your heart health, aid in weight loss, and create many more health benefits. Laughing can even help you live longer. Laughter therapy is technique used to promote overall health and wellness. The goal is to use the natural physiological process of laughter to help relieve physical or emotional stress.
Does this really work? Well, researchers over the years have conducted studies to analyze the impact of laughter on health. Studies have shown that after evaluating participants before and after a humorous encounter (a comedy video), the occurrences of laughter helped to reduce pain, and decrease hormones related to stress, and boost the immunity of the participants.
Because of the recent boom in turning to natural methods for healing, laughter therapy is gaining popularity. Medical journals have even begun to publish articles concerning how this type of therapy can help to improve the quality of life for patients suffering with chronic conditions. Some hospitals even offer laughter therapy as a form of treatment for illnesses.
Here are a few ways laughter can improve your overall wellness.
Weight Loss
A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that 10 -15 minute of laughing can burn up to 40 calories. Doing this on a daily basis would lead to a yearly weight loss of about four pounds. Thanks not much, but can you think of an easier way to shed four pounds? Methods that can be easily and effortlessly added into your lifestyle are what lead sustained weight loss.
Heart Health
The American Heart Association says that there are several ways laughter can help your heart. Laughing increases the amount of good cholesterol in your body and helps to reduce inflammation in your blood vessels. Also, laughing helps to reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is stress hormone produced by the body. Chronic high levels of cortisol can lead to weight gain and a loss of sex drive, among other things. Research has also shown that people with heart disease or 40 less likely to laugh than people without heart disease.
Anxiety and Depression
A study led by Herbert Lefcourt of the University of Waterloo, found that people who are experiencing stress that have a good sense of humor, have fewer depression symptoms and anxiety than those who do not. Also, a good laugh helps you to relax because endorphins (feel good hormones) are released. This causes calms your stress response and even helps to stimulate blood circulation and muscle relaxation. Also endorphins are natural pain killers.
Here are some additional benefits that studies have shown can result from laughter therapy:
- Improve the immune system and circulatory system
- Enhance oxygen intake
- Stimulate the heart and lungs
- Trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers)
- Improve digestion/soothes stomach aches
- Balance blood pressure
- Improve cognitive functions
- Decrease stress/tension
- Facilitate relaxation
- Enhance sleep
- Improve the quality of life
- Improve overall attitude
- Create general sense of well-being
Here are a few ways that you can easily add a little laughter into your day:
Watch the videos in your Facebook news feed. All of us have friends that post funny videos on Facebook. Take a moment to watch a few. I am sure you will get a kick out of some of them.
Listen to funny podcasts. While you are working or driving or just hanging out at home, go to the iTunes store and find a funny podcasts. There are several.
Listen to comedy satellite radio station. There are many satellite radio stations that play comedy shows and exerts all day. While driving, especially if you have a long commute to work, listen to one of these stations to get a good laugh. This is great for people who dread going to work. This could help you to relax before you enter there and it could also help ease the tension of your work day as you drive home.
So there you have it. Laughter is no joke when it comes to your health. Get a good laugh in today because it truly is “medicine for your soul.”
Have a good one!
Melinda