What do you call a sad strawberry?
A blueberry.
Typical dad joke, but did you laugh?
“Laughter is the best medicine” is more than just a whimsical phrase—it’s backed by science. The therapeutic, physical, social, and cognitive benefits of laughter continued to be researched to understand how it improves well-being. Did you know a good 15 minute belly laugh can burn up to 40 calories? Studies have also shown it can decrease your cortisol levels by 37 per cent.
Gelotology is the study of laughter and its effect on our bodies and minds.
Laughter is a reaction all cultures recognize, no matter what language they speak. Babies laugh before they utter their first word; even animals exhibit behaviour that resembles laughing. Laughing is a social function that connects us and tells others we understand them.
Spontaneous or genuine laughter happens when you hear a joke or see something funny. It is linked with a positive mood, being happy, and feeling light-hearted. Self-induced laughter is laughter you create yourself and is not associated with something funny. Research has shown that the body cannot tell the difference between the two and there is a positive physiological benefit to laughter, whether spontaneous or self-induced.
Laughter releases happy hormones. Happy hormones (dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin) have a positive effect on your overall mood and health.
But do you laugh enough?
Probably not.
The hustle and bustle of life is exhausting and stressful. The constant push and pull takes a toll on your overall well-being, raising your heart rates and blood pressure, and slowing digestion. So why not add a bit more laughter in your life to lighten the mood?
The Benefits of Laughing
1. Boosts Immunity
Laughter can be a complementary tool for boosting your immune system. Research shows that laughing increases the production of antibodies which can help your body fend off illnesses more effectively and make you less susceptible to colds and infections.
2. Reduces Stress
Laughter is a great way to manage stress and anxiety because it lowers cortisol levels. When you laugh, your body relaxes, making problems seem less daunting.
3. Relieves Pain
Laughter releases endorphins which promote an overall sense of well-being. They can alleviate physical and emotional pain and temporarily relieve discomfort.
4. Improves Heart Health
Having a hearty (no pun intended) laugh dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow, and gets your heart pumping. Good circulation is vital for heart health.
5. Enhances Mood
Laughter improves your mood. It triggers the release of dopamine, a hormone linked to pleasure and reward. It adds joy to your life when you are feeling down and promotes a more positive outlook on life.
6. Enhances Mental Function
Laughter activates areas of the brain that contribute to cognitive functions, improved memory, and overall mental performance. The next time you feel stuck or unmotivated in the middle of a task, take a break and laugh. You may find the solution you were looking for after a bout of laughter.
7. Promotes Social Connection
Laughter is good for our emotional health. It connects us, builds trust, and creates a sense of belonging and community. Sharing a laugh with others breaks the ice and establishes connection and trust. It can also help diffuse a heated discussion by easing tension.
8. Provides Physical Exercise
Everyone has laughed until your belly and cheeks ached. But is it a workout? Scientists are still trying to quantify this, with some small-scale studies showing that laughter does indeed provide some physical exercise by engaging your abdominal muscles,and giving you a mild cardiovascular workout.
Add Some Laughter Into Your Life
To reap the benefits of laughter, try incorporating more humour into your daily routine. Some fun ideas are:
- Consume humorous content such as funny videos, comedic movies, sitcoms, podcasts, or books. Older comedies like I Love Lucy and The Golden Girls, are perfect ways to get your giggles in, but more recent shows like The Big Bang Theory are great for a boisterous, belly laugh.
- Attend live comedic performances. If you can’t find a live show, many comedians post content online.
- Spend time with people who make you laugh and have fun—laughing is contagious!
- Share your funny stories – we all have them! Don’t take yourself too seriously and laugh at yourself.
- Practice laughter exercises—laughter yoga uses breathing exercises to stimulate deliberate laughter. It sounds silly, but that is the point, right? See below for a great laugher yoga video.
- Find your inner child, be silly, and play games—tag is fun at every age–or have a water fight with your loved ones!
- Practical jokes—answer your phone with a witty one-liner to start the laughs: “Hello caller! You’re on the air!”
- Join a laughter club in person or virtually—these free clubs aim to create an environment that stimulates laughter.
- Celebrate World Laughter Day on the first Sunday of every May by laughing from morning to night!
Laughter is an easy and fun tool for enhancing your well-being. Its ability to boost immunity, reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, and strengthen social bonds highlights its role as an invaluable cog in the wheel of a healthy lifestyle. Next time you’re feeling down or stressed, remember that a cheerful chuckle, goofy guffaw, silly snort, or hearty hoot might just be what you need.
See below for my favourite video to watch when I need a good laugh. It’s impossible not to laugh as this Granny flips through the pages of a book while she reads her grandchild a story.
One last joke to leave you with a quick snicker—what happens when frogs park illegally?
They get toad.
~ Read more from The Health Insider ~
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
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