Laughing is not just related to
facial expressions, but it causes a number of chemical changes within the body.
Good hearty laughter helps release enzymes and hormones that are helpful for
normal functioning of various organs. This is due to a connection between
laughing and stimulation of the brain and different glands.
► Physical
Benefits ◄
1- Invisible
Masseuse
A good laugh works like an internal
massage as it gets your insides moving without you even realizing it! Laughter
is a good workout for respiratory, abdominal, leg, back, and facial muscles. It
tones the intestines, massages abdominal organs, and strengthens abdominal
muscles. This activity is advantageous for digestion, as well as absorption of
nutrients. Laughter also helps burn calories. A good, forceful laugh vibrates
the diaphragm, and the deep breaths let in more oxygen every time, thereby
making laughter one of the best respiratory exercises.
2- Hindering
Hypertension
Laughing is proven to be very
beneficial for people affected by hypertension. It helps lower the blood
pressure to normal. Laughing causes deeper breathing and improves blood
circulation, due to which oxygen and essential nutrients are supplied to all
body parts.
3- Hormones in
Harmony
Laughter reduces the levels of
certain hormones, such as cortisol, epinephrine, and dopac, which are
associated with stress response. Thus, it helps relieve stress, depression, grief,
anger, and irritation. Laughing also decreases pain and reduces anxiety and
feelings of depression by releasing endorphins, the feel-good hormones that
induce a sense of well-being and positivity. It improves our attentiveness and
maintains the optimal pulse and heart rate.
4- Sweet
Salvation
It has been clinically proven that
laughter plays a positive role in keeping blood glucose levels in check. This
makes laughter therapy a significant tool in the management of diabetes.
5- Invigorating
Immunity
Laughter stimulates the body to
release natural antihistamines. It also activates T-cells, a natural antibiotic
produced in the body. It helps boost the immune system and fight infections. It
prevents numerous diseases by strengthening the immune system. Also, since
laughter improves circulation and increases the level of oxygen in blood, the
lymphatic system gets a good amount of oxygenated blood when you laugh. This
further fortifies your body's immunity against pathogens.
► Psychological
Benefits ◄
1- Clarity of
Mind
Laughing while undergoing a stressful
situation works in a twofold way. On one hand, by lowering the level of stress
hormones and regulating your heartbeat, it keeps you physically safe. On the
other hand, by allowing your body a good dose of endorphins, laughter tricks
you into feeling buoyant and alert, giving your mind the clarity which it can
never have, when it is weighed down by distress and desperation. A mind that
has utmost clarity of thought and does not keep wallowing in the murky puddle
of negativity is one that is capable of coming up with pragmatic solutions to
get rid of a troublesome situation. Ultimately, distracted from the negative
emotions and equipped with a clear perspective, you emerge a winner.
2- Invites
Positivity
Laughter boosts self-confidence and
gives mental strength to cope with conflicts and challenges in life. It also
helps us come out of depression. It improves mental health by letting out
stress and makes us forget all the tensions in our daily lives, even if just
for a few moments. Laughter ushers in a positive frame of mind by making us see
the lighter side of life. Laughing with others help us bond and empathize with
each other and this leads to a feeling of belonging and social attachment. This
increases self-confidence and enables a person to develop a better self-image. A
person with a smiling face is always popular amongst a group. It lessens the
distance between two individuals and brings them together. It increases healthy
communication with others.
3- Flushes Out Frustrations
Laughter helps release stress and you
just cannot deny the 'light' feeling you get after a good round of laughter. Remember
how drained you felt after that colleague of yours told you an outrageously rib-tickling
joke? Didn't you feel like you would just burst? Didn't you feel like a weight
had been lifted off your chest for quite some time after your laughter subsided?
Now, imagine the amount of stress that you'll be purging from your system if
you laugh that hard at least 4 times a day, each day!
