Have you ever watched a really funny film and belly laughed until you ached?. You feel so good afterwards, almost like you are on a natural high. Even if you are in pain, laughing is a great painkiller. You may not feel like laughing, but laughter helps the pituitary gland release its own pain-suppressing opiates as well as increasing the release of happy hormones like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin
The benefits of laughter actually increase when you are in the company of other people.
Robert Provine, neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland and author of the book Laughter: A Scientific Investigation, has proved that –
“We laugh 30 times as much when we’re with other people than we do when we’re alone”.
Here are 13 Health Benefits of Laughing
- Reduces stress, pain, depression, anxiety, and tension
- Increases release of endorphins and dopamine
- Elevates mood and feelings of well-being
- Enhances creativity & problem solving skills
- Increases memory, alterness & learning
- Raises self-esteem, hope, optimism, energy, and vigor
- Increases friendliness, helpfulness & builds cohesion
- Improves interpersonal interactions and relationships
- Exercises respiratory, abdominal, face, leg and back muscles
- Lowers your blood pressure (controversial)
- Increase vacular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
- Strengthens your immune system (controversial)
- Defend against respiratory infections & colds (controversial)
So, head off down to your local comedy club, or invite your friends over for some fun party games. Even by yourself you can still have a chuckle by watching a funny film or you tube videos.
Here is my favorite laugh out loud you tube video:
