Feeling stressed, down, unmotivated, disconnected? When was the last time you had a good belly laugh? Too long ago to remember? We intuitively know that laughing at something funny makes us feel better, but most of us are not doing it enough. It turns out that laughter may actually be one of nature’s best medicines, with growing evidence that it can improve our physical and mental health. A good laugh has been shown to be beneficial in several ways:
How can laughter help?
- Laughter can mitigate the effects of stress by reducing hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine in the blood (these hormones increase when we’re stressed – think “fight or flight”).
- When we reduce stress hormones, not only do we feel better, we also reduce inflammation in our bodies, helping to combat other stress-related diseases such as heart conditions. Our immunity also gets a boost.
- Laughter increases the levels of neurotransmitters in our brain, such as dopamine and serotonin (which are reduced when we’re depressed), helping improve our mood.
- Laughter can help us feel more positive emotion – it’s difficult to stay upset, angry or stressed when we’re laughing – try it!
- Have you ever laughed just because someone else was laughing? Laughing releases feel-good endorphins in our brain, and it can trigger the same feelings in other people’s brains – that’s why laughter is contagious! And laughing together relaxes us, and can help improve our relationships by breaking the ice, breaking down barriers, ending fights, and making us feel more connected.
How to get more laughter into our lives
1. Keep funny cards, photos, or cartoons and place them where you can see them – on the fridge, on your desk at work
2. Keep an easy-to-access file of all the funny jokes and videos you find or have been sent – share them with friends
3. Watch stand-up comedy – go online, watch it on TV, see it live if you can
4. Hang out with funny people
5. Spend time with kids or pets – their antics are always good for a laugh!
6. Listen to funny podcasts
So for free and fun medicine to help improve your mental health, make the choice to add some laughter to your life. Pick something to do that makes you giggle or laugh out loud, and try to do it for 5-10 minutes each and every day!
Did you know? Someone who studies the effects of laughter on the human body is called a gelotologist.
Author: Kate Brayley
Psychologist