We all have those people in our lives who make us laugh .
The ones who laugh without restraint, find humor in the simplest things, and can turn a bad day into a good one with just a few words.
Sure, they're fun to be around and make us feel good, but did you know that their one-liners and witty jokes also have actual health benefits? And you can get into the action, too.
Whether you're into those silly dad jokes, dry humor, or knock-knock jokes, letting out a good laugh can do wonders for your mind, body, and soul.
How?
Stay with us as we dive into the 9 health benefits of laughing and why you should incorporate more laughter into your daily life. We will also discuss theories behind why we laugh and highlight tips on how you can sneak a dash of laughter into your life.
Without further ado, let's get started!
What Is Laughter? Laughter is not just an emotional response to something funny — it's a complex physiological process involving multiple brain regions coordinating with each other.
When you hear something funny or see something amusing, signals travel from the brain, particularly the areas responsible for processing humor, to the motor cortex, which controls muscle movement.
This triggers a series of physical reactions, including:
Involuntary muscle contractions: The diaphragm, the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen, contracts repeatedly during a laugh, causing forceful exhalations followed by rapid inhalations. This increases oxygen intake and circulation.Facial muscle engagement: Different types of laughter activate specific facial muscle groups. A hearty belly laugh involves contractions around the eyes (creating crinkles), mouth (causing a wide smile), and abdomen.Hormonal shifts: Laughter triggers the release of a cocktail of beneficial neurochemicals, including endorphins (natural painkillers), dopamine (associated with pleasure and reward), and oxytocin (the "bonding hormone").Stress hormone reduction: Laughter can temporarily suppress the production of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. This can reduce anxiety, tension, and feelings of fear.
In simpler terms, laughter is like a workout for your body. It engages multiple muscles, increases blood flow and oxygen intake, and releases feel-good hormones while decreasing stress hormones.
Theories of Laughter: Why Do We Laugh?
Although there are over 100 individual theories about why we laugh, the field is dominated by three main theories: release theory, superiority theory, and incongruity theory.
Release Theory Also known as the cathartic theory, the release theory suggests that laughter serves as the physical manifestation of repressed desires and motivations. Essentially, laughter allows us to stem out pent-up negative emotions and thoughts.
Superiority Theory The superiority theory suggests that laughter is a way for people to feel good about themselves by making fun of others or feeling superior to them. That is, laughter is used as a means of increasing one's self-esteem at the expense of another. While this theory does not have much scientific support, but is often used in social situations as a means of bonding and teasing among friends.
Incongruity Theory By contrast, the incongruity theory proposes that we laugh not because something is repressed or makes us feel superior but because it surprises us. In other words, laughter is a response to the unexpected; when something does not align with our expectations or understanding of reality, we find it funny.
Currently, there is no concrete consensus on which of these theories is most accurate and complete. But we don't think it really matters, as long as you are laughing!
Difference Between a Good, Hardy Laugh and Giggling Isn't laughing just, well, laughing? Not quite.
There are different types of laughter, and each can uniquely affect our health. A hardy laugh is often associated with humor and involves deep belly laughs or loud guffaws. On the other hand, giggling is more high-pitched and softer, often triggered by something silly or cute.
Take the example of watching a funny movie — you may experience both types of laughter, with the hardy laughs during the hilarious scenes and giggles during the heartwarming moments.
While both forms of laughter can provide similar physical benefits, hardy laughter tends to be more intense and can release more tension in the body. Giggling, on the other hand, is a gentler form of laughter that can bring about feelings of joy and contentment .
Other identified types of laughter you'd come across are:
Simulated, also known as self-induced laughter. This is a conscious effort to laugh without any external trigger. A genuine or spontaneous laugh is a natural response to something funny or humorous. Stimulated laughter (e.g., tickling) is not based on humor but rather a physical sensation. Induced (via drugs) laughter may be involuntary and not associated with humor. Pathological laughter is not related to a joke or anything funny but rather a symptom of certain neurological conditions. It is typically defined as a disorder of emotional expression due to damage to pathways in the cortex and brainstem.
Is Laughter REALLY the Best Medicine? 9 Health Benefits of Laughing
Knock, knock...
Who's there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrupting cow wh-
MOOO!
Okay, maybe that joke didn't have you rolling on the floor with laughter, but hopefully, it put a smile on your face. And that's already one of the many benefits of laughing — it just makes us feel good .
But there's more to it than just a temporary mood booster. In fact, "laughter is the best medicine for what ails you."
One long-term study found that people who laughed more were less likely to develop disabilities later in life and had a higher chance of living longer.
Of course, that isn't necessarily a conclusive finding, as people who have good health or less pain may be more likely to laugh in the first place. But at least there is still a lot of evidence that suggests people who laugh or find humor in life are less likely to experience certain health issues or pain, which could be why they fare better.
Another research suggests that prescribing laughter could be a low-cost and easy way to improve overall health. In fact, some hospitals have already started using "laughter therapy" as a complementary treatment for patients with chronic diseases and pain .
But how exactly can laughter improve our health and help us fight the negative effects of stress ? Let's look at 9 proven benefits of laughter.
1. Laughter Triggers the Release of Endorphins You see those little chuckles, yes, those you're currently trying to suppress? They've actually been shown to increase pain tolerance. Likely, this is due to the endogenous and endorphins opioids released during good laughter, especially if they are sustained for 20-30 minutes.
Norman Cousins, a renowned writer and journalist, famously used laughter as a form of pain relief while battling ankylosing spondylitis (a chronic inflammatory disease). He reported that just 10 minutes of laughter would give him two hours of pain-free sleep.
Since then, scientific research has validated his claims, showing that "laugh therapy" can help reduce pain levels and improve our tolerance for discomfort.
2. Laughter Boosts Your Cognitive Function You're having a busy day at work, and your colleague pops in with a corny "dad" joke. You roll your eyes, but you can't help but let out a small chuckle. Suddenly, it's easier to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. Coincidence? Not really.
That's because laughter has been shown to improve cognitive function .
Laughter can increase oxygen flow to the brain (helping to keep it young ), improving alertness, concentration, and memory. It also stimulates creativity by activating the brain's frontal lobe, which is responsible for complex thinking and problem-solving. Plus, the release of dopamine during laughter can contribute to feelings of motivation and drive.
3. Laughter Improves Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health The increased neurotransmitters of dopamine and serotonin found with regular guffaw increase our emotional well-being and mental health . That is, the overall physiological calming effects of a good chuckle are associated with improved mood. Laughing can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety and provide a natural release of tension and pent-up emotions.
But it's not just about the biochemical reactions — laughter also has a social aspect that enhances our emotional well-being. Laughing with others creates a sense of connection and belonging, strengthening relationships and fostering positive interactions.
4. Laughter Boosts T-cells and Natural Killer Cells No, we're not talking about a new superhero duo. T-cells and natural killer cells are essential components of our immune system that help fight off infections and diseases. And guess what? Laughter can boost their activity.
Studies (like this one ) have shown that mirthful laughter (an intense, joyful laugh) provides a natural boost to the immune system by increasing the activity of T-cells and natural killer cells. Laughter can even reduce the limbic "fight or flight" response and lower cortisol levels, which can help decrease inflammation in the body.
5. Laughter Promotes Better Sleep How on earth can laughing promote better sleep? It seems contradictory, right?
Well, think about it — when was the last time you had a good laugh before bedtime? Chances are, you slept like a baby.
Laughter can be an excellent stress reliever and help quiet our racing thoughts, allowing us to fall asleep more easily. Plus, as mentioned earlier, laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which helps reduce pain and promote relaxation.
So go ahead and watch that comedy special before bed — it might just be the key to a good night's sleep.
6. Laughter Improves Cardiac Health and Blood Pressure Which cardio workout burns the most calories?
The one where you're laughing so hard, your abs hurt.
Okay, maybe not literally, but laughter does have a positive impact on our cardiovascular system.
When we laugh, our heart rate and blood pressure increase before quickly returning to normal levels. This mimics the effects of moderate exercise and can provide cardiovascular benefits such as improved blood flow and oxygenation, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, and potentially even increase our lifespan.
7. Laughter Works Your Core Muscles We all know that laughing can give us a six-pack — from muscle contractions, not abdominal fat shedding. But it's not just about looking good in a swimsuit.
When you laugh, you engage your diaphragm, and your abdominal muscles expand and contract, similar to when you do crunches. Meanwhile, the muscles you are not using when you're laughing, take a break and relax. Add laughter to your ab workout routine, and you may just start seeing some toned tummy.
8. Laughter Improves Lung Function A hearty guffaw is like a mini aerobic exercise for your lungs. When you laugh, you take in more oxygen, and the muscles involved in the laughing action contract and expand, increasing lung capacity.
This can be especially beneficial for those with respiratory issues, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. Research has shown that laughter therapy can improve lung function and even reduce symptoms of these conditions. Do you feel like you're suffocating from a bad cold? Try watching a comedy instead of reaching for your inhaler (on a lighter note).
9. Laughter Activates the Stress Relief Response If you are looking for one of the best ways to relieve stress, try laughter.
A good laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response. When you laugh, your body goes through a "fight or flight" reaction, followed by a relaxation response. This leads to muscle relaxation and the release of physical tension in the body.
Laughter can also help reduce levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) in our bodies, counteracting all the negative effects of chronic stress on our health . It can serve as a coping mechanism for dealing with stressful situations, helping us to maintain a more positive outlook and reduce the physical effects of stress on our bodies.
6 Tips to Spice Up Your Life with a Giggle Now you know the health benefits of laughter, but what if you're not a natural "giggler"? Or perhaps you're the kind of person who needs a good reason to laugh — like watching a funny movie or spending time with friends.
How can you add giggles and guffaws into your daily routine?
Here are 6 things to make you laugh to get you started!
1. Practice Laughter Yoga Is there such a thing as laughter yoga? You bet there is. Laughter yoga is a form of exercise that combines gentle movements, deep breathing techniques, and forced laughter to help release stress and tension in the body.
Laughter yoga teaches you how to cackle on cue instead of relying on humor. It was invented by Indian physician Dr. Madan Kataria in 1995, and research shows it could be as effective as aerobic exercise in improving mood and lowering self-reported stress.
2. Watch a Comedy Special Sometimes, all it takes is some popcorn, a comfy spot on the couch, and a good comedy special to get those endorphins flowing. Whether it's stand-up, sitcoms, or movies, find whatever tickles your funny bone and make it a regular habit. Caution: may cause spontaneous snorting and belly aches from laughter.
Don’t have time for a full show?
Watch a few of your favorite funny animal or blooper videos! Here’s one to give you a chuckle or two now.
VIDEO
Funniest Baby Animals courtesy of The Pet Collective
3. Surround Yourself with Funny Friends Laughter is contagious, so why not surround yourself with people who make you laugh? Dial up that friend who always has a witty comeback, even when nothing seems to go right. You can even include more friends as long they have a knack for making everyone giggle. Laughter is always better when shared.
4. Listen to Funny Podcasts, Songs, or Audiobooks Turn your wheel, jog, or commute into a comedy club with funny podcasts and audiobooks. Find a comedian that makes you laugh or discover new ones—there are plenty of options to choose from! Singing along to silly songs can also bring out your inner child and get those giggles going.
5. Play Kids' Games or Sports Adulting is so overrated! Sorry, I mean — being an adult can be tricky sometimes.
So why not take a break and let your inner child out to play? The 'Simons Says' game, hopscotch, or skipping are all excellent ways to get moving and laughing while unleashing your inner child. You can also join a fun sports team like kickball or dodgeball — guaranteed laughter for days!
6. Exercise while Watching Humorous Videos You don't have to be a couch potato while watching funny videos online. Instead, take advantage of this time to get moving and exercise! Whether doing jumping jacks during commercial breaks or dancing along to a viral TikTok dance, incorporating physical activity with laughter is a great way to boost your overall health.
Plus, by stacking these together you'll have fun while burning some extra calories — win-win!
Laughing Alone vs. When with Others
Now, you may be thinking — "I don't need anyone else to make me laugh. I'm perfectly content with my own sense of humor." And that's great! Laughing alone also has benefits, such as reducing loneliness , enhancing positivity , and boosting self-esteem.
Still, there are some unique aspects of laughing with others that make it equally important.
For instance, we feel a sense of connection and bonding when we share laughter. Laughing with others also provides opportunities for spontaneity and authenticity — you can't fake genuine laughter.
In other words, laughing alone is good, but laughing with others can be even better.
One study had participants watch 15 minutes of a comedy show in a group. After the laughter session, their pain tolerance increased by 10% more than before. But for those who watched the comedy show alone rather than with others, their pain tolerance increased, but it was slightly less than 10%.
Another study , this time done by Harvard Medical School, found that laughing with others can reduce the risk of developing functional disability as we age.
Laugh Your Way to Better Health The benefits of laughter go beyond the obvious known benefits, such as greater happiness, social bonding, stress relief, better physical health , and mental health.
Spontaneous laughter is more than just something that feels good at the moment.
It is an integral part of our overall health and well-being. We can activate a host of health-related benefits for ourselves and others by looking for opportunities to incorporate more laughter.
Whether it is your favorite sitcom, silly social media video, or funny memes, turn those momentary pleasures into your secret weapon for a happy life .
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