Laugh out Loud.
Ever hear that laughter is medicine? Well turns out it is… Keep reading to find out why laughter might be the solution to some of the most common viruses and diseases that humankind suffers from.
Think of the last time you laughed really hard. Chances are, the memory will probably make you smile.
Everytime you laugh, you release endorphins. A neurotransmitter is your brain that fires when your brain feels rewarded. Simply put, endorphins are also released when you workout. In a way, when you laugh you are working out!
The benefits of laughter can be analyzed in both the short and long-term.
In the short run, when you laugh, you stimulate organs around your body. The rich intake of air allows for the muscles in your lungs and in your heart to activate, due to the rapid release of endorphins.
THE SCIENCE:
Boost your immune system: How? Well when you laugh, you stimulate increased production of T-cells, the cells that naturally attack viruses around your body, helping you naturally fight off viruses in your body.
Instant Stress Reducer: Ever want to laugh out your stress? It is one of the most effective responses you can engage with. Stress builds up in the amygdala, a part of the brain that is in charge of emotional processing. Laughter on the other hand, relaxes the amygdala through the release of endorphins. Slowly relieving the tension and relaxing your amygdala is what eventually leads to feeling “distressed.”
In the long run
The effects of laughter can be seen in the mental perception one has of their life. Individuals who laugh more often will feel greater personal satisfaction, regardless of the life experiences that they have gone through. Incredibly enough, in the long run, laughter has also proven to correlate to reducing chronic pain. Individuals who live a life of laughter are less likely to report chronic pain when they reach ages above 65.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
In a world where we live caught up on deadlines, worrying about the future and the next thing on our to-do lists, we must not overlook the power of a simple laugh. From a biological perspective, laughing is one of the best natural cures your body can engage with! Make sure to use it appropriately! Laugh out Loud more often :)
