From improving your mood to improving your immune system, laughter may actually be one of the best methods for improving health and wellbeing.
Some studies show that children laugh approximately 300-400 times a day, while adults only laugh about 15 times. With those numbers in mind, it’s fair to say we all could use a few more laughs.
Here are seven reasons backed by science why you should laugh more.
7. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Studies show that laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, while also increasing the levels of hormones like endorphins, which induces euphoria and regulates pain and stress; dopamine, which regulates emotional responses; and serotonin, which is the body’s natural mood lifter.
6. Boosts the Immune System
Stress has been shown to suppress the immune system, which makes your body more susceptible to infections. Laughing, while not only being a stress preventer, increases the amount of immunoglobulin and T cells, which scan, identify, and neutralize bacteria and viruses, in the body.
5. Improves Respiration
When you laugh, you empty your lungs of more air than than is taken in, which results in a cleansing effect. Those longer exhalations rid the lungs of residual air, and enrich the blood with fresh supplies of oxygen, which is why you might also feel more alert after a good belly laugh.
4. It’s a Workout
A good laugh works the muscles in the diaphragm, abdomen, shoulders, and face. Approximately one minute of laughter is equivalent to about ten minutes on the rowing machine.
3. Improves Memory
Laughter has been proven to lower the hormone, cortisol, which is related to stress and has been shown to negatively affect memory and learning ability. A recent study showed people who laugh more have better short-term memory recall abilities than those who did not laugh.
2. Makes You More Attractive
Laughing makes people more approachable in social situations. It makes you more comfortable, and since laughter is contagious, it makes others feel better too. Studies show that women find men with a good sense of humor to be more attractive, and on the flip side, men are more attracted to women who laugh at their jokes.
1. Makes You Happier
Laughing produces a general sense of well being and helps you keep a positive, glass half-full outlook on life even in difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. Laughter helps us gain a new perspective, which increases hope and elevates your mood.
Did you learn something new? Share with us in the comments.
[Featured image credit: www.huffingtonpost.com]
7 Reasons Why Laughter is the Best Medicine is a post from: LifeDaily