Laughter: A Powerful Medicine for Your Health and Well-being
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel after a good laugh? It’s more than just a fleeting feeling of amusement—laughter provides a multitude of benefits for both your mental and physical health.
Stress Reduction and Immune Boost
“When considering lifestyle changes to improve health, people often look to the benefits of laughter,” says Michael Richardson, a family doctor atCarbon Health in Boston. “Research shows laughter can reduce stress, improve the immune system, and even help relieve pain.”
Richardson encourages his patients to prioritize happiness in life, and sees laughter as a critical component. “Just like scheduling time to exercise each week, you should also make time for laughter in your daily or weekly routine. Making it happen as a habit can have a real impact on protecting general health,” he explains.
Understanding the Body’s Response
Dissolving stress and enhancing well-being are interconnected with the body’s nervous system.
Beth Oller, a doctor at Rooks County Medical Center in Stockton, Kansas, explains the role of two key players: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. “The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response and we often activate it because things worry us. If this nervous system is too active it can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and many other diseases,” Oller says.
“In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system calms the body, and exercise, meditation, deep breathing and laughing can activate this system. Laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which helps fight the stress response,” she adds.
Laughter: A Natural Pain Reliever
The benefits of laughter extend beyond stress reduction. Studies show laughter can have a profound impact on physical health as well:
“Several previous studies found laughing reduces stress hormones, arterial inflammation, and increases levels of good cholesterol or HDL. Laughter has been linked to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood flow and oxygen intake. Laughter improves vasodilation which improves blood flow and improves circulation,” Oller explains.
Furthermore, laughter acts as a natural painkiller, releasing endorphins, stimulating blood circulation, and relaxing muscles, as noted by Oller. And it doesn’t stop there—laughter has even been linked to a longer lifespan. “Routine laughter is said to be associated with reduced deaths from any cause,” Oller states.
What are some practical ways to incorporate more laughter into our daily lives?
## Laughter: The Best Medicine?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of laughter and its surprising health benefits. Joining me is Dr. Michael Richardson, a family doctor at Carbon Health in Boston. Dr. Richardson, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Richardson:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** You’ve said that laughter is more than just a feel-good moment. Can you elaborate on its benefits for our health?
**Dr. Richardson:** Absolutely. When people think about improving their health, they often focus on diet and exercise. While those are crucial, laughter plays a significant role too. Research shows that laughter can effectively reduce stress, strengthen our immune system, and even help manage pain. [[1](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456)]
**Host:** That’s remarkable! But how does it actually work?
**Dr. Richardson:** It’s still being researched, but laughter triggers physiological changes in our body. It releases endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and mood boosters. It also lowers stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
**Host:** So, you’re suggesting we schedule laughter into our routine like we do with exercise?
**Dr. Richardson:** Exactly! Just like hitting the gym, make time for things that bring you joy and laughter every day or week. Watch a funny movie, spend time with loved ones who make you laugh, or even try laughter yoga.
**Host:** Laughter yoga?
**Dr. Richardson:** Yes! It involves practicing laughter as a group, sometimes starting with forced laughter that eventually turns into genuine amusement.
**Host:** That sounds fun! Any final thoughts on the power of laughter?
**Dr. Richardson:** Laughter is truly a powerful medicine. It’s accessible to everyone, has no side effects, and can significantly improve our overall well-being. Don’t underestimate the healing power of a good laugh!
