Understanding why you need to laugh and should laugh everyday is very pertinent. Laughing is a natural response that involves the physical expression of humor, joy, or amusement. It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can reduce stress, boost mood, and even strengthen the immune system.
Laughter, according to the American Journal of Life Style Medicine, is a powerful therapeutic tool for depression. It can significantly improve your physical, mental, and social well-being. As the saying goes a smile can win a million hearts, similarly, laughter can cure millions of diseases.
Numerous studies have shown that laughing on a regular basis can have a range of benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, boosted immune function, and enhanced emotional well-being. In fact, research has shown that laughter can burn up to 40 calories per 10-15 minutes, making it a form of “cardio” exercise. Moreover, studies have shown that laughing enhances social ties and enhances cognitive function, which increases creativity and productivity.
In contrast, not laughing and instead maintaining a frowning or serious expression can have detrimental effects. Research has found that individuals who do not laugh or express positive emotions regularly are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Studies have shown that people who laugh frequently have a 35% lower risk of developing heart disease compared to those who don’t laugh as much. Additionally, laughter has been linked to improved cognitive function, better social relationships, and an overall enhanced sense of well-being.
Laughter Therapy For Burning Calories – How It Works
Many might wonder how only laughing helps us burn calories. Unbelievably, it does. Many of us are unaware of the fact that we physiologically change tremendously when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure also go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
So, how does it help in burning calories? Actually, when we laugh, over 400 muscles of our body move, and in this way, it burns down the calories in our body. Studies and research have shown that laughing 100 times offers an aerobic workout equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
From this, we can make out the amount of workout or physical exercise we are doing just by laughing. Many people regard it as mild exercise. Laughing along with certain arm movements like flying the arms is even better. It helps in burning down the calories even faster. Also, the person feels extremely relaxed and doesn’t feel tired at all.
Benefits Of Laughter
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter increases antibody-producing cells and enhances T-cell effectiveness, improving the body’s ability to fight off infection and disease. It also decreases stress hormones like cortisol, which can suppress the immune system.
Laughter reduces stress and anxiety. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which promote an overall sense of well-being and can temporarily relieve pain. It also lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Laughter improves cardiovascular health. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect against heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. It has also been shown to delay cardiovascular complications in those with type 2 diabetes.
Laughter regulates blood sugar levels. Studies have found that laughter can significantly inhibit the rise in blood glucose levels after a meal in patients with diabetes, suggesting it may help regulate blood sugar.
Laughter increases pain tolerance. Laughter activates the brain’s reward system and increases pain tolerance, making it a potentially valuable strategy to reduce discomfort in medical settings.
Laughter enhances cognitive function. Humor therapy and comedy improv training have been shown to improve learning, memory, and cognitive function in older adults and those with conditions like Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.
Laughter improves relationships and communication. Laughter helps couples bond and connect. Studies show that couples who laugh together feel closer and more satisfied in their relationships. It triggers the release of endorphins, which promote positive feelings and emotional intimacy.
Laughter has the power to ease tense situations and disputes. Couples can defuse tension and disarm one another during arguments by laughing and using humor. They are able to communicate better as a result.
Laughter makes communication more upbeat and playful, which improves it. A couple’s emotional bond is strengthened when they laugh together because they are more likely to share positive experiences.
Laughing with a partner can increase empathy and understanding. Emotional intelligence and the capacity to see things from each other’s points of view are demonstrated when a couple can laugh at themselves and find the humor in life’s obstacles.
How To Incorporate More Laughter Into Your Daily Routines
- Seek out humor and comedy. Watch funny TV shows, movies, or stand-up comedy. Read humorous books, articles, or comics. Follow funny social media accounts. Spend time with friends and family who make you laugh.
- Practice mindfulness and look for the humor in everyday situations. Try to find the funny side of life’s quirks and challenges instead of getting stressed.
- Play games with others that encourage laughter, like card games, board games, or improv activities.
- Take “laughter breaks” throughout the day, even if just for a few minutes. Watch a funny video, tell a joke, or do some laughter exercises.
- Join a comedy class or improv group to actively work on your sense of humor and ability to be playful.
- Cultivate quick wit by practicing coming up with humorous responses to situations.
- Master telling a favorite joke or funny story that you can pull out when you need a laugh.
CONCLUSION
Laughter therapy provides a unique and enjoyable way to burn calories and improve overall health. Unlike traditional exercise regimens that can be arduous and unpleasant for some, laughter therapy allows you to burn calories effortlessly while experiencing the many benefits of laughter.
The major advantage of laughter therapy is that you don’t have to engage in strenuous physical exercise or sweat for hours to see results.
References
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 18). 4 Reasons To Laugh Out Loud. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-laughing-good-for-you
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Healing Benefits of Humor & Laughter. https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/healing-benefits-humor-laughter.asp
- PharmEasy. (2021, July 1). 11 Amazing Benefits of Laughing. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/11-amazing-benefits-of-laughing/
- HelpGuide. (n.d.). Laughter Is the Best Medicine. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
- Marriage.com. (n.d.). Couples Who Laugh Together, Stay Together. https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/couples-who-laugh-together-stay-together/
- Everyday Health. (2022, January 10). How to Laugh More Every Single Day & Why It’s So Good for You. https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/how-to-laugh-more-every-single-day-why-its-so-good-for-you/
