There’s truth behind the saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’, because regular laughing helps improve numerous health problems. In fact, Dr. Patch Adams uses humor as a form of therapy at his famous hospital Gesundheit! in West Virginia. Laughter helps us manage stress and strengthen our immune system by reducing the level of stress hormones while increasing the number of antibody-producing cells and improving the effectiveness of T-cells. Like exercise, laughter sends oxygen to our tissues as we stretch muscles in our face, diaphragm and body; our pulse and blood pressure increase and we breathe more quickly. It decreases pain and helps us relax and sleep better. Laughter also increases memory and learning while improving alertness and creativity.
Laughter is a positive way to shift focus away from negative emotions such as anger, guilt and stress. We cannot experience emotional distress and emotional uplift at the same time, so while being mirthful you’re not able to feel anger, depression or anxiety – negative emotions that are related to heart disease and digestive problems.
Laughter is contagious and connects us with others. The more you laugh, the more you can help those around you see things from your perspective and laugh.
Ways to bring laughter into your life:
Watch comedies: Watching hilarious movies and television shows is a quick and easy way to increase your daily merriment. Listen to a comedy with a laugh track or buy a laughter CD, which you can also use to liven things up at parties.
Read comics: Get your daily dose of humor by reading your favorite comic strips in the newspaper or online.
The more the merrier: Invite friends over for a party or game night. Or go to a comedy club or movie with friends. The contagious effect of laughter means you'll laugh more than you would have on your own, plus you'll have jokes you can share later.
Laughter club: Improve your energy and mood by taking a laughter meditation or laughter yoga class.
Find humor in your stress: When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade! Instead of complaining about life's frustrations, try laughing about them. Are you experiencing something so frustrating or depressing it's ridiculous and you could 'look back on it and laugh'? Imagine how it would sound as a story you could tell to your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now.
Don’t take life so seriously: Approach life in a more lighthearted way and you'll find you're less stressed about negative events. You may also find yourself being more mirthful and silly, giving yourself and those around you more to laugh about.
Fake it until you make it: You can still achieve the positive effects of smiling and laughter whether they are fake or real. So smile more and feign laughter - the fake merriment may lead to real smiles and laughter.
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