Laughter is the best medicine. This saying is often thought to be an old cliche, but it’s still relevant for a reason: it’s true! In fact, science can prove it to you. Let’s face it—someone who laughs often and is always smiling looks like they are at peace compared to someone who looks like he attended five funerals in a row. After all, a person’s disposition can affect the way he does things. Compare these two people: a bright, lively person and sulky, ungrateful one. If both of them faced the same problem head-on, who do you think would have handled it better? We don’t even need to give an answer because the winner is clear!
Although it’s not the only method, laughter is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to change your life. Plus, there are health benefits associated with laughter.
Wondering how laughter can do your body some good? Keep reading!
Laughter Ensures Good Emotional Health
People encounter stressors from work, family, and the environment on a daily basis. The pressure can take a toll on their mental health, cornering them like a poisonous predator and shackling them into a dark void. Fortunately, there’s a cure: laughter!
When people have a lot of fun, they laugh and fill themselves with warm, happy emotions. When this happens, the brain triggers the release of hormones called dopamine, which gives people a sense of pleasure. Another hormone that gets released is called serotonin. Serotonin helps people feel at ease. Then, they can easily relax and enjoy themselves. The combination of the two creates a utopia-like feeling that helps alleviate stress and anxiety.
The next time you find yourself stuck with a task that overwhelms you, find something that can make you laugh hard enough to scare the stress and anxiety away. Remember—humor can help make people resilient to problems.
Laughing Strengthens Your Cardiovascular System and Lungs
Who would’ve thought that laughing could be an exercise? Humor is healing because your muscles are continuously contracting and relaxing as you laugh. When you begin to chuckle, your blood vessels start to expand because of the influx of air. The extra air holds more oxygen, so your body gets supplemented with an extra dose. These elevated oxygen levels can improve regeneration, mental clarity, immunity, and heart rate while reducing stress levels. In fact, there is a treatment called oxygen therapy used to treat people with low oxygen levels. The therapy helps to reduce symptoms such as headaches, irritability, swollen ankles, and fatigue.
As for your lungs, laughing fills your chest with fresh air. The stale air lingering is replaced with pure, clean air that’s rich in oxygen. The sudden intake of breath causes the alveoli to expand and take in all the essential oxygen for your body.
That said, it’s wise to surround yourself with people who are always laughing—they’re healthy! With the extra oxygen intake, you can face adversities head-on with a smile.
Are you looking for a good laugh? Now that you know how laughing makes you healthier, you would definitely look for ways to be happy. Try stand-up comedy. If you’re not sure where to look, visit Tampa’s favorite comedy club—Splitters Comedy—to laugh, smile, and have a good time!
