Alexandria Wyckoff
You may have heard the popular saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” before, but did you know there might be some merit behind it? Research has found that there are numerous physical and psychological benefits of laughter and smiling, often found with conscious or subconscious smiling. Check out these six reasons to laugh more in your life, and understand the importance of taking the time to be happier every day.
6. Body Releases Good Hormones
Starting our list of reasons to laugh more is that the body releases good hormones when laughing. When we smile, three hormones are released: dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These tell your body you’re happy, and make you feel happier. This can even work by forcing a smile. Sometimes, just the act of smiling can make you feel better and allow you to enjoy the rest of the day.
5. Improves Heart Health
Fifth on our list of reasons to laugh more is that it can improve heart health. Studies have connected laughter with a lower frequency of cardiovascular diseases. Another study found that laughing daily can result in a reduced number of conditions affecting the cardiovascular system. So, laughing daily is truly good for your heart.
4. Increases Longevity
Next on our list of reasons to laugh more is increasing your longevity. Along with targeting and reducing cardiovascular diseases, regular bouts of laughter are connected to reduced all-cause mortality. Put plainly, those who smile and laugh more may live longer than those who don’t. A Norwegian study found that women with strong senses of humor lived longer than others, and were over 70% less likely to die from heart disease or infection. This is because laughter stimulates the organs and helps protect against the effects of aging.
3. Eases Pain
Rounding out the top three reasons to laugh more is easing pain. This phenomenon was first detailed in 1979 by Norman Cousins in Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins suffered from chronic back pain that left him bedridden. As his condition worsened, Cousins took his health into his own hands and used laughter as an antidote, and it worked. Recent research has found a similar thread, with pain tolerance increasing through laughter.
2. Lowers Stress
Second on our list of reasons to laugh more is lowering stress. The connection between stress reduction and laughter is well-documented. This is because laughter decreases your heart rate and blood pressure, making you feel relaxed. Plus, laughter stimulates circulation, allowing your muscles to relax. The released hormones also play a part, and allow you to work through stress and difficult times and come out on the other side better for it.
1. Boosts Immunity
Last but not least on our list of reasons to laugh more is boosting your immunity. Laughter increases antibody-producing cells and enhances T-cell effectiveness. This helps strengthen our immune system and allows the body to fight off the latest cold or flu, and even lowers the risk of major disease.