One of my favorite pastimes is to laugh uncontrollably with family and friends.  The kind of laughter that makes your abdominal muscles scream and your bladder tremble.  The kind of laughter that brings tears to your eyes and leaves you breathless.  The kind of shrieks and howls, that, even years in the future, can be set off all over again; usually with just one word.

 

The family I was born into loved to laugh; both paternal and maternal sides had the best senses of humor I have ever known.  When my farmer parents faced the farm crisis of the 1980s, they kept a humor file and used it regularly.  Laughing made them feel better, but they were also convinced it had been scientifically proven to be the best medicine, especially after what happened to Norman Cousins.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1986/10/21/norman-cousins-still-laughing/e17f23cb-3e8c-4f58-b907-2dcd00326e22/

​

Who knows why laughter has such a positive effect?  Lots of theories have been expounded since the time of Plato.  A 2023 PubMed meta-analysis looked at eight studies with a total of 315 participants.  The authors’ conclusion was that “Current evidence demonstrates that spontaneous laughter is associated with greater reduction in cortisol levels as compared with usual activities, suggesting laughter as a potential adjunctive medical therapy to improve well-being.”  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37220157/

​

Some of the physical systems involved in laughter:

• Brain

• Motor cortex (muscles)

• Frontal lobe (expressive language & higher-level executive functions)

• Limbic system (emotions)

• Neurotransmitter (i.e. serotonin) and endorphin regulation

• Heart/Lungs/Muscles

– Increases blood flow

– Stimulates circulation

– Increases oxygen intake

– Stimulates muscles to contract and then relax

• Immune System: Increases positive thoughts which can release neuropeptides that fight stress and illness

• Metabolism: can burn calories!

​​

Mental Health benefits of laughter

• Release of endorphins improves mood

• Diffuses anger & conflict

• Increases social bonds

• Can help keep a positive outlook

• Can increase enjoyment of life

• Can increase longevity

​​

Laughter is powerful, contagious and free!  Having family and friends to laugh with can lighten some of the hardest times while being one of the most enjoyable ways to improve our health.  Science seems to agree: find ways to encourage laughter in your life. Think of a movie or book that made you laugh out loud. Maybe you have a friend who has a gift of facial expressions or style of talking that keeps you in stitches.  Record yourself laughing!  Write down things that strike you as funny and start collecting them for a blue day! Have friends over for tea but throw out the rules of table etiquette and let hilarity ensue! Start a Laugh Yoga group.

Be creative, live well, love yourself and LAUGH!

​

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-e&q=Laughter+Yoga+Liliana+DeLeo+TEDxMontrealWomen#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8342f9bf,vid:4p4dZ0afivk

Janet M. Gibson, Professor of Cognitive Psychology, Grinnell College   This article was first published on The Conversation.   https://www.bluezones.com/2020/12/scientific-proof-that-laughter-really-can-be-the-best-medicine/# 

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456