Ah, the magic of laughter. It’s incredible to feel so filled up that you must burst at the brim…and laugh. Such a phenomenon!
We can be sincere about life without taking it too seriously. Some call it the sixth sense: the sense of humor. Humor isn’t merely about telling jokes; it’s the way we view the world. The perception of humor exists within your mind. It is culturally defined and socially constructed.
Laughter has physical, mental, emotional and social benefits. I did my research and all of the following benefits ROCK. The physical benefits of laughter listed below have been proven through studies time and time again.
LAUGHTER DOES A BODY GOOD BECAUSE IT…
1 – Invokes feelings of happiness and joy.
Facial expressions are not only reactions to emotional states, but can actually PROVOKE these states as well. FASCINATING, huh?!
2 – Relaxes the whole body.
A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
3 – Boosts the immune system.
Laughter increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. It is scientifically proven that people who laugh consistently are able to fight off illness better than those who don’t.
4 – Promotes overall sense of well-being.
Laughter triggers the instantaneous release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
5 – Reduces stress.
Laughter reduces at least four hormones associated with stress response: epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, dopamine, and growth hormone.
6 – Creates a positive frame of mind.
Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions.
7 – Prevents heart problems.
Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which will help protect you against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. When we laugh we lower our blood pressure, it increases the blood flow to the heart and pumps more oxygen into the blood. It also strengthens artery walls.
8 – Results in muscle relaxation.
While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh, relax. (Pay attention next time you laugh and you’ll definitely notice this!)
9 – Changes your perspective.
Humor gives us a more light-hearted perspective and helps us view events as challenges, not threats.
10 – Causes deep respiration.
Laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect – similar to deep breathing. This is especially helpful for people who are suffering from respiratory ailments.
11 – Lowers blood pressure.
People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than those who don’t.
12 – Increased intake of O₂.
During laughter, breathing then becomes deeper and sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.
13 – Creates immediate connection.
When two or more are laughing together – it creates a connection instantly.
14 – Gives a nice internal workout.
A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders. In doing my research for this article, I noticed that some experts call this “internal jogging”. Funny, huh?!
15 – Can reduce and manage pain.
Two reasons: A) Laughter distracts you, taking your mind off of pain. B) Laughter-released endorphins (natural pain killers) attach to the same receptors in our brain as opiate-based prescription painkillers; thus, chemically giving you pain relief.
16 – Provides a physical release.
Have you ever felt like you “have to laugh or I’ll cry”? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.
17 – Enables you to live longer.
With everything listed above, I don’t think I even have to go into the WHY.
18 – is FUN!
And who doesn’t want more of that?!
Start smiling now and laughing ASAP. Think of times when you always laugh. Are there any common themes of who you are with, where you are, or what you are doing? Recreate those memories in new ways!
Some ideas: Watch your favorite funny movie, go to a comedy club, plan a game night with good friends, record your favorite funny show so that you’re sure not to miss it, talk on the phone to a good friend that you are sure to laugh with, schedule a time to meet someone you laugh with for happy hour or a coffee/tea, begin seeing things that happen in your life with an easier-going attitude (lighten up).
As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily.
Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.
“HE WHO LAUGHS, LASTS!” -Mary Pettibone Poole
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Owner of Brilliant Life Design and twenty/thirty-something life coach, Melissa Foster, works with clients to take their life OFF of auto-pilot and get ON purpose. If you want to start living a life that delivers lasting success, sign up for a fre*e subscription to Melissa’s weekly eZine, Fully Alive at www.BrilliantLifeDesign.com.
