LAUGH IT OUT!
"Laughter is the best medicine" as the old adage goes.
Oftentimes in the stresses of our lives, we are so focused with our problems and burdens and we forget to laugh. But studies have shown that laughter does something for our body especially for our health. The effects of laughter are amazing as many researches have shown. It really pays off if we can spend some minutes or a few hours each day laughing for something. Below are some benefits of laughter according to Kayla Matthews.
- It can help relieves stress
Assuming you’re watching or listening to stand-up that you find humorous, the laughter can effectively reduce your stress levels. Research suggests that laughter relieves stress by initiating and then abruptly cooling down your stress responses. What’s more, simply anticipating a laugh can have powerful stress-relieving effects.
- It can help relieve pain
In addition to being a stress-reliever, stand-up comedy could also help with long-term pain management (see the Mayo Clinic article cited above). Laughing can cause your body to produce natural painkillers and may also relieve pain caused by muscle disorders by interfering with the “pain-spasm” cycle.
- It can help boost your immune system
Some research has shown that laugher may increase the number of infection-fighting antibodies and boost immune cells. Likewise, positive thoughts and feelings — such as those released with laughter — have the potential to release neuropeptides, which help fight illness and stress (see Mayo Clinic article cited above).
- It can help reduce blood pressure
In addition to the health benefits mentioned above, laughing at stand-up comedy can improve blood flow and reduce your blood pressure. In fact, two separate studies found that laughter improves the flow of blood through the body’s arteries, thus reducing blood pressure as well as subjects’ risk of heart disease.
- It can stimulate your mind
Could watching stand-up comedy actually improve your brain function? Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Scott Weems found that people exposed to comedy are better able to answer semantic associates tasks.
- It’s a good workout
Speaking of physical exercise, however, it’s worth noting that watching stand-up comedy and laughing can be an easy workout, too. In addition to burning a few calories, laughing also works your stomach muscles by causing them to expand and contract. It also works out your shoulders and exercises the diaphragm and heart.
And so, the next time you are so stressed or depressed, remember, "Laughter is still the best medicine."
Laugh with me and follow me @cozyrx