Had a good laugh lately?
It’s no joke that humor is good for your health. Sharing laughter really may be the best medicine. Does that mean a doctor can tell us to “take two jokes and call us in the morning”? Not exactly, but research suggests that laughing has short-term and long-term benefits to health and well-being.
Short-term benefits can include a variety of physical changes in your body that have a positive impact. Laughter has been shown to increase your oxygen level, to lower blood pressure, to stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles, and to release endorphins — the “feel good” hormones.
Laughter also reduces the body’s response to stress. Stress and anxiety release hormones that over time can wear down your body and immune system. If you can share a joke or find a light moment in times of stress, it can reduce those hormones, stimulate muscle relaxation and cut down on anxiety, creating a relaxed feeling.
And, believe it or not, laughter is good exercise. It is great for your abdominals. When you laugh, the muscles in your stomach contract, so it’s like doing a sit-up.
LAUGH NOW, GET BENEFITS LATER
In the long term, studies have shown that laughter can boost the immune system and offset negative chemical effects in the body, again thanks to endorphins.
Laughter can act like a natural pain reliever to decrease the amount of pain we might feel, according to research.
Laughter also increases our personal satisfaction with life, helps us cope with difficult issues — such as chronic illness — and has social benefits. When we share a laugh with someone, it connects us to them. Those with more social involvement have improved health and well-being.
BUT LIFE’S JUST NOT THAT FUNNY
What if laughter doesn’t come easily to you? What if your body is missing its funny bone?
There are things we can to do develop or increase a sense of humor. First, put humor on your radar. Post funny photos or comic strips on the bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator or somewhere at your desk at work.
Make a point to watch funny movies or TV shows. Look for things that make you laugh. Try to find a way to laugh at your- self or your situation. When you laugh, the world laughs with you — it’s contagious, and that creates connections.
Spend time with friends who make you laugh. You don’t want to laugh at the expense of others or to encourage inappropriate jokes; use your judgment and build social interaction.
Finally, browse local bookstores or the library. The humor section has a wide selection of joke books and humorous essays. Find a few that you like and share them with a spouse, friend or coworker.
Keep renewing your prescription for humor. Cultivate an awareness of the mind/body/feelings connection, and pay attention to how a laughter regimen cuts stress, relaxes muscles and helps shape a calm, positive outlook.
