Laughter, though a very simple and cheap exercise, has been discovered to be a very great booster of good health and healthy living.
Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
As reported by gaiam.com, a blog site first indexed by Google more than 10 years ago, E. C. LaMeaux described deep-rooted belly laugh as one of the best feelings in the world.
“It can bring people together and establish amazing connections. Everything from a slight giggle to a side-splitting guffaw can change the temperature of a room from chilly unfamiliarity to a warm family-like atmosphere,” he said.
Research discovered that the immense benefits of laughter includes: lowers blood pressure; reduces stress hormone levels; it works on abs; improved cardiac health; boost T-cells; triggers release of endorphins; and produces a general sense of well-being.
Two researcher at the Loma Linda University, California, Dr Lee Berk and Dr Stanley Tan, said “there is already so much to love for laughter that it seems greedy to look for more.”
Seven Health Benefits Of Laughter
1. As discovered by the Berk and Tan, good hearty laughter lowers blood pressure. People who lower their blood pressure, even those who start at normal levels, will reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack.
“So grab the Sunday paper, flip to the funny pages, and enjoy your laughter medicine,” the two varsity dons said.
2. By reducing the level of stress hormones, you are simultaneously cutting the anxiety and stress that impacts your body. Additionally, the reduction of stress hormones may result in higher immune system performance.
“Just think: Laughing along as a co-worker tells a funny joke can relieve some of the day’s stress and help you reap the health benefits of laughter,” it was reported.
3. A good laughter works positively on the abs, also known as the “abdominal muscle” which is a paired straight muscle found in the stomach. There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba.
One of the benefits of laughter is that it can help you tone your abs. When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs.
“Meanwhile, the muscles you are not using to laugh are getting an opportunity to relax. Add laughter to your ab routine and make getting a toned tummy more enjoyable,” it has been advised.
4. Laughter, as a great cardio workout, improves cardiac health. This is more beneficial for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness.
“It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health,” we are counseled.
5. A good, hearty laughter is a boost to the T-cells, which are specialised immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation.
“When you laugh, you activate T-cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness. Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan,” researchers have discovered.
6. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins which are the body’s natural painkillers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.
7. Lastly, laughter produces and increases a general sense of well-being. It has being discovered by medical practitioners that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative.
So smile, laugh, and live longer!
