Laughing Is Good! They say, “Laughter is the best medicine”. Ideally, the deep-rooted belly laugh is one of the best feelings in the world. Aside from bringing people together, laughter can establish incredible connections. Researchers such as Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of the Loma Linda University in California explain how everything from a slight-giggle to a rib-cracking laughter can change your life.
Why Laughing is good
There are many reasons doctors advise their patients to laugh, and even recommend it as ways of overcoming some complications. Some of these reasons are:
1- Laughing Lowers Blood Pressure
Studies assert that people with low blood pressure, including those whose blood pressures are at normal levels are unlikely to experience heart attacks and risk of strokes. According to Dr. Berk, grabbing and flipping the funny pages to enjoy your laughter medicine would prolong your life.
2- Burns Calories
Laughing for ten to fifteen minutes increases your heart rate, raises energy expenditure and can burn up to 40 calories. Nevertheless, laughing is not a weight-loss plan. “It is impossible for people to eat, say at McDonald’s, and then expect to laugh away their lunch,” advises Dr. Maciej Buchowski, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University. Because a few calories every day can translate to a few pounds a year, doctors recommend laughing as the best medicine.
3- Reduces the Level of Stress Hormones
It is normal for our bodies to produce stress hormones despite their dangers. When you laugh, stress hormone levels are significantly reduced, and this helps cut stress and anxiety that negatively influences your body. Moreover, the reduction of stress hormones may help increase the performance of your immune system. Laugh along as your co-worker makes a joke to reap the health benefits of laughing and relieve some of the day’s stress.
4- Boosts Cardiac Health
Laughter is one of the best cardio workouts in the world. It is highly recommended for those who are incapable of carrying out other physical activity due to illnesses or injuries. Research shows that laughing burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. Additionally, it gets your heart pumping, and this enhances blood circulation.
5- Improves your Relationship
If you are in search of a new mate, laughter will help you find a new partner. Research indicates that men love women who laugh in their presence, and when compared to men, women laugh 125% more. Ideally, those who are already with someone can share a sense of humor to help keep their relationship running smoothly.
6- Boosts the Production of T Cells and Relieves Pain
T cells are unique immune system cells found in your body. Since they are only waiting to be activated, laughter is essential, as it is highly needed to achieve this. When you laugh, your body activates T cells, which immediately start to help you fight off sickness. Moreover, a good chuckle a day has been found to relieve pain. It distracts you from aches, and this helps reduce pain. It also releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which make you feel good all over and ease chronic pain.
7- Improves your Social Life
People who make others laugh have more friends because everyone loves a joker. Ideally, research shows that such people are also likely to achieve more at work since they have good sense of humor; thus, are more productive, better team players and good communicators. “Laughing is as much about social relationships as it is about humor,” says Dr. Tan.
8- Improves your Breathing
Like deep breathing, laughing empties your lungs of more air than it take, thereby, resulting in a cleansing effect. For this reason, doctors recommend it for patients who suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.
9- Promotes abs Workout
Laughter can help you tone your abs. Similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs, laughter makes the muscles in your stomach expand and contract. While laughing, the muscles you are not using to laugh get an opportunity to relax, and this helps exercise your abs. Because of its numerous abs benefits, doctors advise that you include laughter to your abs routine.
10- Laughing protects your Heart
A study conducted by heart specialist at the University of Maryland, indicated that people with heart disease are 40% less likely to laugh in various situations when compared to those of the same age without heart disease. By determining the way the blood flows in the body, laughter reduces the likelihood of heart disease. According to the study, 15 minutes of laughter daily is as crucial for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.
Summary
Although it may seem to have a minimal impact in your life, laughter is as important as any form of exercise. It has numerous benefits that promotes your well-being.
