The Sound of Laughter

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” e. e.

Laughter is a physiological response that involves rhythmic and involuntary action, and denotes merriment, happiness, or joy.  Over the past several years countless studies have been conducted that show the positive effects that laughing has on one’s physical and mental health.  Laughter is one of the body’s best coping mechanisms for the normal stress of life, and it’s also conducive to increased problem solving abilities and creativity.  Some of the many benefits associated with a hearty laugh are the following:

– Laughter causes you to gulp in large portions of air, thereby oxygenating your blood.

– Stress may be a contributing factor in up to 90% of all illnesses.  Laughter decreases stress hormones in the body such as cortisol and adrenaline, thus helping to stave off illness.

– Laughter strengthens the immune system.

– When we laugh our bodies release hormones and chemicals that have positive effects on our system. One of these chemicals is endorphins, the feel-good hormone. Because laughter increases the level of endorphins in the body, it’s a natural pain killer.

– One minute of laughing burns the same number of calories as 6 to 10 minutes on a treadmill.   In addition, laughter is gentle exercise. It fills your lungs and body with oxygen, deep-clears your breathing passages and exercises your lungs.

– Laughing raises your mood; joyfulness through laughter is the fastest way to create a positive state of mind. Laughter also helps to combat depression.

– Laughing is good for the heart and improves blood circulation.

– Researchers at the University of Maryland conducted a study in which participants were split into two groups: one group of participants was shown comedies and the other group was shown dramas.  After the screening, the blood vessels of the people in the group that watched the comedies behaved normally — expanding and contracting easily. However, the blood vessels of the people in the group that watched the dramas tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

– Laughter is anti-aging! It tones facial muscles and increases blood supply to the face, which nourishes the skin and gives it a healthy “glow”.

– One study involving 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels.  On the first day, after eating, the group attended a tedious lecture.  The next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy.  After watching the comedy the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after attending the lecture.

– Internal organs are stimulated when you laugh which enhances efficiency of vital organs and improves digestion and bowel movement.

– Because laughter increases the secretion of endorphins, it can help reduce cravings for chocolate and other comfort foods.

– When used in conjunction with conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process.  Norman Cousins, a prominent political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate, details in his memoir, “Anatomy of an Illness”, that after being diagnosed with a painful condition called ankylosing spondylitis he would watch Marx Brothers films to help him ease the pain.  He reported that 10 minutes of laughter allowed him up to two hours of pain-free sleep.

– Laughter creates and strengthens human connections.

– Daniel Goleman, author of “Emotional Intelligence”, had the following to say about laughing and creativity: “The intellectual benefits of a good laugh are most striking when it comes to solving a problem that demands a creative solution. One study found that people who had just watched a video of television bloopers were better at solving a puzzle long used by psychologists to test creative thinking.”

“Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place.” — Josh Billings

(“Only his laugh . . . “; courtesy of emiguez65)

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