Laughter: A Simple Way to Boost Mental and Physical Health
Laughter: The Best Medicine? Experts Say It Can Boost Your Health
Can a good laugh really be good for you? Experts say yes,and they’re not joking.
More than just a mood booster, laughter has been linked to a surprising number of health benefits, from reducing stress to strengthening your immune system.
“If you’re considering lifestyle changes to improve your health, people often overlook the benefits of laughter,” says Michael Richardson, a family doctor at Carbon Health in Boston. “Research shows that laughter can reduce stress, boost your immune system, and even help relieve pain.”
Richardson encourages his patients to prioritize happiness in their lives, and laughter is a fantastic way to achieve that.”Just like scheduling time for exercise each week, you also deserve to make time for laughter in your daily or weekly routine. Making laughter a habit can have a protective effect on your overall health,” he explains.
How Laughter Works Its Magic
Our bodies have two branches of the nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, which is often triggered by stress and worry.
Overactivation of this system can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other health problems, explains Beth Oller, a physician at Rooks County Medical Center in Stockton, Kansas.”The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, calms the body down,” says Oller. “Activities like exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and laughter can activate this system. Laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol,which helps counteract the stress response.”
Previous research has found that laughter can lower stress hormones, reduce inflammation in arteries, and increase levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).
“Laughter has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood flow and oxygen intake,” Oller adds.”It improves vasodilation, which widens blood vessels and improves circulation.”
Laughter has also been shown to help relieve pain by releasing endorphins, stimulating blood circulation, and relaxing muscles.
And the benefits don’t stop there.
“Regular laughter has even been associated with a lower risk of death from any cause,” Oller says.
So, the next time you feel stressed, down, or just need a pick-me-up, remember the power of a good laugh. It might just be the best medicine you need.
Laughter: Can It Really Boost Your Health?
NewsDirectory3.com Exclusive Interview:
Can a good laugh really be good for you? Experts say yes, and they’re not joking. More than just a mood booster, laughter has been linked to a surprising number of health benefits, from reducing stress to strengthening your immune system.
We spoke with Dr. Michael Richardson, a family doctor at Carbon Health in Boston, and Dr.Beth Oller, a physician at Rooks County Medical center in Stockton, Kansas, to find out more about the science behind laughter and its amazing health benefits.
Dr. Richardson encourages his patients to prioritize happiness in their lives, and laughter is a fantastic way to achieve that. “Just like scheduling time for exercise each week, you also deserve to make time for laughter in your daily or weekly routine. Making laughter a habit can have a protective effect on your overall health,” he explains.
Our bodies have two branches of the nervous system: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, often triggered by stress and worry. Overactivation of this system can increase risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other health problems.
“The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body down,” says Dr. Oller.”Activities like exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and laughter can activate this system. Laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which helps counteract the stress response.”
previous research has found that laughter can lower stress hormones, reduce inflammation in arteries, and increase levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).
“Laughter has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood flow and oxygen intake,” Dr. Oller adds. “It improves vasodilation, which widens blood vessels and improves circulation.”
Laughter has also been shown to help relieve pain by releasing endorphins, stimulating blood circulation, and relaxing muscles.
And the benefits don’t stop there. “Regular laughter has even been associated with a lower risk of death from any cause,” Dr. Oller says.
So, the next time you feel stressed, down, or just need a pick-me-up, remember the power of a good laugh. It might just be the best medicine you need.