“Laughter is the sun, it banishes winter from the human face“: Victor Hugo, internationally-renowned writer

“Humanity has one truly effective weapon – laughter. Nothing can resist the power of laughter,” said Mark Twain, a famous American writer.

“This happens to be that the power of laughter and love would overcome the power of fear every time.” wrote John Goodman, an American actor.

“People take everything so seriously that it becomes a burden to them. Learn to laugh more. To me, laughter is as holy as prayer,“ said Osho, Indian philosopher and mystic.

It’s fun to share a good laugh, but did you know it can actually improve our health? Learn how to harness the powerful benefits of laughter and humor.

The benefits of laughter

It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens our immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects us from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring our mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens our burdens, inspires hope, connects us to others, and keeps us grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps us release anger and forgive sooner.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing our relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day.

But as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, we can improve our emotional health, strengthen our relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to our life.

Laughter is good for our health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving our muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving our resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect us against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable us to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.

Laughter may even help us to live longer. Many studies find that people with a strong sense of humor outlive those who don’t laugh as much. The difference is particularly notable for those battling cancer.

What are the physical, mental, and social benefits of laughter?

Laughter makes us feel good. And this positive feeling remains with us even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps us keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives us the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making us feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes our brain and readies most of people to smile and join in the fun.

The link between laughter and mental health

Laughter stops distressing emotions. We can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when we’re laughing.

Laughter helps us relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling us to stay focused and accomplish more.

Laughter shifts perspective, allowing us to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help us avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict.

Laughter draws people closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of our mental and emotional health.

Laughter brings people together and strengthens relationships

There’s a good reason why TV sitcoms use laugh tracks: laughter is contagious. You’re many times more likely to laugh around other people than when you’re alone. And the more laughter you bring into your own life, the happier you and those around you will feel.

Sharing humor is half the fun—in fact, most laughter doesn’t come from hearing jokes, but rather simply from spending time with friends and family.

And it’s this social aspect that plays such an important role in the health benefits of laughter. You can’t enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time to really engage with them. When you care about someone enough to switch off your phone and really connect face to face, you’re engaging in a process that rebalances the nervous system and puts the brakes on defensive stress responses like “fight or flight.” And if you share a laugh as well, you’ll both feel happier, more positive, and more relaxed—even if you’re unable to alter a stressful situation.

How laughing together can strengthen relationships

Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter also adds joy, vitality, and resilience.

And humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts. Laughter unites people during difficult times. Humor and playful communication strengthen our relationships by triggering positive feelings and fostering emotional connection. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against stress, disagreements, and disappointment.

Humor and laughter in relationships allows us to:

Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of our head and away from your troubles.

Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget resentments, judgments, criticisms, and doubts.

Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back is pushed aside.

Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface.

Use humor to resolve disagreements and tension in your relationship

Laughter is an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high. Whether with friends and family, or co-workers, you can learn to use humor to smooth over disagreements, lower everyone’s stress level, and communicate in a way that builds up your relationships rather than breaking them down.

End Note

Kind humor and laughter help us live a happier, healthier, more productive and longer life!

By Alex Arlander | ENC News