You may have heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This phrase sums up how taking the time to laugh can boost our physical health. Here are a few ways it does this.
Boosts Immunity
Laughter can help strengthen our immune system by increasing antibody-producing cells and enhancing T-cell effectiveness. Stronger immunity means that we are able to fight off the latest cold or flu bug, also reducing our risk of major disease.
Improves Heart Health
Studies have associated laughter with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. In one particular study, researchers noted that people who laughed daily had a reduced prevalence of conditions affecting the cardiovascular system.2 This makes regular laughing good for the heart,
Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Another study links laughter with a reduction in metabolic syndrome risk factors.3 In this study, subjects who engaged in laughter yoga (a form of yoga that utilizes simulated laughter) for 12 weeks significantly reduced their body weight, body mass index (BMI), and stress—all of which can increase one's risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Moreover, sometimes called insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome refers to a group of factors that, together, can increase your risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and more.4
Studies have associated laughter with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. In one particular study, researchers noted that people who laughed daily had a reduced prevalence of conditions affecting the cardiovascular system.2 This makes regular laughing good for the heart,
Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Another study links laughter with a reduction in metabolic syndrome risk factors.3 In this study, subjects who engaged in laughter yoga (a form of yoga that utilizes simulated laughter) for 12 weeks significantly reduced their body weight, body mass index (BMI), and stress—all of which can increase one's risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Moreover, sometimes called insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome refers to a group of factors that, together, can increase your risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and more.4
Increases Longevity
Another piece of research adds that, in addition to being associated with reduced cardiovascular disease incidences, regular laughing is also connected with reduced all-cause mortality.5 This suggests that laughter can enhance longevity.
Another piece of research adds that, in addition to being associated with reduced cardiovascular disease incidences, regular laughing is also connected with reduced all-cause mortality.5 This suggests that laughter can enhance longevity.
Eases Pain
The ability of laughter to ease pain was first described in 1979 by Norman Cousins in his book As Anatomy of an Illness.6 Cousins developed ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease characterized by chronic back pain that left him confined to bed. As his condition continued to deteriorate, he decided to take his health into his own hands, in part, by using laughter, which is when he began to improve.7
More recent research confirms laughter's positive effects on pain. For instance, in a study involving 40 subjects, researchers found that their pain tolerance was favorably influenced after watching a comedy for 30 minutes, while pain tolerance decreased after viewing a documentary for the same length of time.8
Protects Physical Function
If our physical functionality declines, we can find it harder to do everyday activities such as dressing or bathing ourselves. Laughter appears to reduce the risk of developing functional disabilities, particularly when we laugh regularly and with others (more so than when laughing alone).9
If our physical functionality declines, we can find it harder to do everyday activities such as dressing or bathing ourselves. Laughter appears to reduce the risk of developing functional disabilities, particularly when we laugh regularly and with others (more so than when laughing alone).9
Strengthens the Core
A good belly laugh is good for building strength in the trunk, particularly the abdominal muscles, even working the internal obliques more than traditional exercises.10
Laughing also engages muscles in the diaphragm and shoulders, giving you a good non-exercise workout.
A good belly laugh is good for building strength in the trunk, particularly the abdominal muscles, even working the internal obliques more than traditional exercises.10
Laughing also engages muscles in the diaphragm and shoulders, giving you a good non-exercise workout.
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