Wondering why you feel better after a good laugh?
There is reliable evidence that laughter improves mental, emotional and various aspects. Physical health.
If you’re dealing with stress, pain or challenges with your immune system, finding ways to incorporate laughter into your daily life can be an effective remedy.
Do women need more sleep than men? Here is the opinion of the experts.
Health experts say humor and laughter can be good medicine – and it’s no joke.
Why Laughter Matters
Simple and actionable steps to add more smiles to your life can make a difference.
“People often overlook the benefits of laughter,” said one doctor. “Research shows that laughter can reduce stress, boost the immune system and even help reduce pain.” (iStock)
“When considering lifestyle changes to improve health, people often overlook the benefits of laughter,” Michael Richardson, MD, a family physician at Carbon Health in Boston, told Fox News Digital.
“Research shows that laughter can reduce stress, boost the immune system and even help. Reduce pain”
As a primary care physician, Richardson encourages patients to make happiness a priority in their lives. “Laughter is a great way to do that,” he said.
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“Just as you can set aside time for exercise each week, it may be worth scheduling moments of laughter into your daily or weekly routine,” Dr.
“Making it a regular habit can have a protective effect. Overall health“
How does laughter positively affect the body?
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has two parts. Nervous system – Empaths and para-empaths, says Beth Oller, MD, a family physician at Rooks County Health Center in Stockton, Kansas.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, “which is frequently activated in many of us, with all the things we worry about in our world today.”
An overactive sympathetic nervous system can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and other diseases, one expert said. (iStock)
May increase the risk of over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Heart diseasecancer, obesity and other diseases, Oller said.
“On the other hand, our parasympathetic nervous system is what calms our bodies down – and exercise, meditation, deep breathing and laughter can activate this system,” Dr. continued.
“Laughter lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which helps reverse this. Stress response“
“Laughter is free, has no side effects, and has psychological and physical benefits.”
Some preliminary research has found that laughter lowers stress hormones, reduces inflammation of the arteries and raises HDL, the “good cholesterol,” Oller said.
“Laughter has been associated with lower prevalence. Heart disease by increasing blood flow and oxygen uptake,” Dr. added. “Laughter promotes vasodilation, which improves blood flow and increases circulation.”
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Laughter has also been shown to help reduce pain by releasing endorphins, stimulating circulation and relaxing muscles, Oller added.
It is also possible to laugh. Add years to your life.the expert noted: “It has been found that regular laughing is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality.”
The role of laughter in mental health
According to Sarah Brides, a licensed clinical social worker who treats patients at Novant Health Cancer Institute in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the psychological benefits of laughter have been researched for some time.
“Laughter can reduce stress,” she told Fox News Digital. “Our brains can cope with stress; however, being in a stress response for long periods of time is not healthy.”
“One way to increase spontaneous laughter is to intentionally spend time with people you enjoy and who naturally make you laugh.”
When someone laughs – especially when it’s spontaneous or genuine laughter – endorphins are released, cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases, and dopamine and serotonin (the happiness hormones) increase.
“Dopamine is associated with feelings of reward, pleasant feelings and motivation, and serotonin is associated with pleasure, depletion Depression and anxietyand learning and inspiration,” added the bride.
“Watch shows that make you laugh, and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud,” advises one expert. (iStock)
Lightness and joy can also be a bridge to better social access.
“One way to increase spontaneous laughter is to intentionally spend time with people you enjoy and who naturally make you laugh,” Brides said.
Long term benefits
According to the Mayo Clinic, a quick dose of humor is a good start, but continued laughter can have the following long-term benefits:
Boosting the immune system
According to the Mayo Clinic, negative thoughts can manifest in chemical reactions that can affect the body by causing more stress, which means laughter can be a remedy for better health.
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Better perspective
The same source said that laughter can also make it easier to deal with difficult situations and reach common ground with others.
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Light-tempered
Laughter can help reduce stress, Depression and anxietyand can make you feel happier by boosting your self-esteem, per the Mayo Clinic.
Finding ways to add humor
Like many things in life, humor is a skill, said Dr. Oler in Kansas — and to develop the skill, practice is key.
She suggests surrounding yourself with people who are positive and make you laugh — or find your own way of humor.
Experts say going to a comedy show is a great way to promote “laughter therapy.” (iStock)
“Easy methods include watching or reading something funny,” the therapist said. “Now there’s even an exercise called laughter yoga, which focuses on breathing and mimicking laughter.”
“Watch shows that make you laugh, and don’t be afraid to laugh out loud. Go to a funny movie or comedy show,” suggests Oler. “My favorite way to guarantee lots of laughs is to play funny board games with friends and family.”
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Bride, a therapist, also stressed the importance of finding ways to inject joy and laughter into life.
“Laughter is free, lacks side effects, and psychoactive and Physical benefits“