Humor And Health Are Closely Connected

By Concepcion McConnell


The phrase "laughter is the best medicine" is one that virtually everyone has heard at least once. Over the past decade, however, scientific evidence has proved that this statement is true. There is a powerful connection between humor and health, and the many health benefits and other positive side effects of laughter are currently being studied.

Participating in such activity can improve one's immune system, promote lung and heart health, relieve pain, and alleviate stress. One of the main reasons for this is the stimulating effect laughter has on the emotions, physical body and mind. Laughing promotes the production of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which are referred to as the human body's happiness chemicals.

Additionally, a rigorous episode of laughter will also help to eliminate toxins from a person's system. This is due to the fact that it promotes cardiovascular function, which subsequently enhances the flow of blood throughout one's body. Numerous individuals are unaware of the fact that laughing also burns a considerable number of calories. Studies have indicated that laughing heartily for a mere 60 seconds produces the same benefits to one's cardiovascular system as exercising for fifteen minutes on a stationary bike.

As mentioned earlier, discovering the humorous things in life will also bolster an individual's immune system. The immune system is responsible for protecting one from any threat to his or her overall health, such as viruses, free radicals or various infections. Laughing regularly boosts the body's production of white blood cells, the latter of which combat the aforementioned health threats. Individuals who laugh consistently recover quicker when they are ill and experience sickness less often.

Laughter is also a fantastic stress buster. Stress hormones such as epinephrine and cortisol are released at a much slower pace when a person is engaged in laughter. Many individuals can remember a time that they laughed so hard they cried. Most people who have experienced this will state that afterwards they felt inner calmness and emotional relief. This is because releasing emotions by laughing is considered a positive way to relieve stress, as opposed to becoming angry and shouting.

Humor is also regarded by scientists as a natural painkiller. This is because endorphins, which also naturally relieve pain, are released whenever one laughs. For this reason, the more things a person can find humor in, the happier he or she will ultimately feel. Laughing also distracts one from any negative thoughts he or she may be having. In addition, it enhances brain function. Those who laugh often have greater mental clarity and can focus better than their more solemn counterparts.

There are numerous ways to enjoy the health benefits associated with laughter. Those who consciously begin observing the events and people around them will likely discover that humorous things occur more often than they may have initially thought. Therefore, those who wish to obtain health benefits from laughter should not miss any opportunity to enjoy a funny situation.

Additional ways to add laughter to one's life include watching comedy flicks or funny TV shows, or patronizing a local comedy club. Ongoing research is being conducted with regard to this phenomenon. However, enough evidence is already in place to suggest that the connection between humor and health should be acknowledged.




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