Laughing always feels good, but do you know how good laughing is for you? As children, it was easy to find yourself laughing hundreds of times a day. But as adults, life gets more serious and laughing can become rare. When’s the last time you had a good hard gut-busting laugh? You know, the kind that makes your stomach hurt. I am a happy person, but it’s been a while since I had one of those. When’s the last time you laughed at something that made you mad? I had that experience last week. That’s a perfect time to laugh because it diffuses the anger and reduces stress. Laughter makes you happier; happier makes you younger.
Here are 7 good reasons to engage in more laughter:
Laughter relaxes your whole body. A good hearty gut-busting laugh relieves physical tension and stress, which can leave your 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, which can improve your resistance to disease.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Laughter burns calories. I know that may seem like a stretch, but a study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories. If you are trying to lose weight, every little bit helps.
Laughter may help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.
Laughter helps you stay mentally healthy by shifting your perspective. It enables you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. This can help to diffuse conflict and reduce stress, which can assist you in staying focused and accomplish more. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
Laughter can strengthen relationships. Sharing laughter adds joy, vitality, and resilience to a relationship. It also helps to build strong and lasting relationship bonds. Laughter helps you move past resentments, judgments, criticisms, and inhibitions.
Laughter is fun, free, easy and its benefits are priceless.
Here’s how to bring more laughter into your life:
Smile. When you see someone or something pleasing, practice smiling. Smile at people you pass on the street or in the store. Notice the effect it has on them. How do you feel when someone randomly smiles at you? Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and like laughter, it is contagious.
Count your blessings. Make a list of the things you are grateful for. It’s most effective when done on a daily basis. Even if you only list 3 things per day, you will notice a difference.
Spend time with fun, playful people. These are the people who laugh easily – both at themselves and life’s crazy events. They are the ones who find humor in everyday events. Their happy and playful point of view is contagious.
Bring some humor into your conversations. Ask people, “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you this week?” Watch the room lighten up.
Additional opportunities to bring laughter. Watch funny movies and TV shows. Enjoy a night at a comedy club. Play with a pet or a toddler. Do something silly. Carry a good joke in your pocket.
Laughter is free, fun, easy, and a priceless tool for Awesome Aging. Go forth and laugh.