Can Laughter Improve Your Health?

By Jessica Houde | July 13, 2021 |

Can Laughter Improve Your Health?

We have all heard the phrase” laughter is the best medicine,” but can laughter improve your health in reality? Suffering from depression or anxiety is no laughing matter, but laughing might be what your doctor prescribes! Laughter has been found to lessen depression and anxiety symptoms. Check out some of the other ways that laughter improves our health!

How Laughter Improves Your Health:

Laughter Relieves Tension

A sense of humor can ease tense situations. It can also help ease tense muscles. Laughter releases endorphins that counteract the negative effects of stress hormones—lowering your blood pressure. When we laugh, we get an extra shot of oxygen-rich air stimulating our muscles.

Laughing makes us feel better inside and out

A good laugh brings our heart rate and blood pressure up and then brings it back down. It’s like resetting our stress level. That’s why a good joke or a funny movie makes us feel relaxed. Laughing is also good for our long-term health. Doctors say laughter helps our immune system and our heart, and it even helps with weight loss!

Making time to laugh can make it easier to cope with difficult situations.

Making time to laugh can make it easier to cope with difficult situations. Whether it’s our health problems or even a frustrating person, laughter helps us get through it.

Laughing for Health Is No Joke

Don’t believe that laughter improves health? It may sound silly to think that a few jokes are going to fix everything. We all have real problems that can’t be laughed away. Considering this, exercise and medicine are obviously important to our health. Humor is recommended by so many in the medical community and it’s hard to think of a bad side effect… Why not give it a try?

Learning to Laugh More

Ok, I’m convinced laughter will help my health and I’m ready to laugh. How do I get started?

Remember what made you laugh in the past.
Call a funny friend and ask them for tips!
Don’t be afraid to be silly! Wear a funny hat! Make a funny face!
Watch a comedy show you think is funny or find a new one.
Ask your librarian for recommendations of comedy books or movies to try.
Ask people if they know any good jokes! Be ready with one or two jokes of your own.
Take a comedy class locally or online.
Look for the funny side in something that bothers you right now.

It might be easy for you or it may feel like homework at first. Take the time, don’t give up! It’s worth it!