7 Health Benefits of Laughing

Everyone enjoys a good laugh, and it’s a great way to make you feel good and be happy. But have you ever wondered why we laugh or what effect it has on our bodies? Here are 7 health benefits of laughing that you should know.

Regular laughter can prevent illness

Laughing has many health benefits, and one of the main effects is on your immune system. Heavy laughter every day can strengthen your immune system, which will reduce the number of infections you are likely to develop. Laughing heavily also brings in much more oxygen to the lungs than normal breathing would do, which not only helps us expand our lung capacity, but it brings more oxygen into our bloodstream, keeping us healthier.

Ten to fifteen minutes of laughing a day can help you lose weight

When we laugh, we burn calories, as laughing is similar to when we exercise. Our heart rate and blood pressure rise, and endorphins are released. A study carried out by Vanderbilt University Medical Centre revealed that laughing burns calories. Their results showed that laughing between ten to fifteen minutes can burn between 10-40 calories!

Laughter is a form of bonding

Many people think that laughter is the reaction to something funny; however, it is actually a way of communicating. The science of laughter indicates that laughter is a form of communication and shows when we are fond of someone. We laugh more when we are with others and when we are not laughing at jokes.

Laughing lowers our overall blood pressure

Regular laughter can reduce the risk of heart diseases and lower our blood pressure. This is because when we laugh, our blood pressure rises and our heart rate like when we exercise. Laughing regularly exposes our bodies to changing blood pressure and works the heart. As a result, we have lower blood pressure and lower risks of heart attacks, strokes, and heart problems.

Laughter can help to reduce pain

Many people who laugh often have reduced pain and live a longer, healthier life. It is thought that people who have a positive outlook on life are more likely to laugh. Laughing releases endorphins that make us happy, and the happier we are, the less pain we experience. If your body is in good shape, you are less likely to experience high amounts of pain, not just mentally but physically.

Laughing is a workout for your abs!

As well as burning calories, laughing also works out your abs. When we laugh, our stomach muscles expand and contract as we take quick breaths in and out. This means that we are working out and toning our abs!

Evidence shows that after laughing, our stress levels drop

This is because when we laugh, we release endorphins. Endorphins are released when we are happy, and they can bring positive changes to a person’s mindset.