9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter

Laughter is medicine. And that’s not just a cute saying. Science says there are real and tangible benefits associated with laughter. So if you love laughter and crave comedy, maybe that’s just your body nudging you toward better health.

9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter

Benefit of Laughter #1:

It’s good for your heart! One study showed that people who have heart disease tend to laugh less than people who don’t. They also responded with less humor to normal life situations. Humor is good for your heart!

Benefit of Laughter #2:

Help fight cancer. For real! The Cancer Treatment Centers of America actually use laughter therapy to boost immunity, relieve pain, and improve moods in cancer patients.

Benefit of Laughter #3:

Heal relationships. One of the greatest benefits of laughter is that it brings people closer together. It can relieve anger and anxiety while restoring positive feelings. Laughter can break the tension in a tough moment and pave the way for finding solutions to relationship problems.

Benefit of Laughter #4:

Make work fun. Humor in the workplace (appropriate humor, of course) is a great way to boost creativity and productivity, and strengthens teamwork and morale.

Benefit of Laughter #5:

Relieve stress. It probably goes without saying, but it’s such an important benefit it’s well worth mentioning: laughter is a huge stress reliever! Stress is one of the top causes of modern disease (one of the main ideas I discuss in my book The Nourished Metabolism), so this might be why laughter has so many health benefits. It relieves tension and gets oxygen pumping through the whole body, which is exactly what you need when you’re stressed out.

Benefit of Laughter #6:

Stop pain. Laughter raises endorphins, chemicals in your brain that are tied to pain relief. Researchers at Oxford University found a dose-related laughter effect–the more people laugh, the less pain they feel.

Benefit of Laughter #7:

Fight depression. Everyone knows that laughter can lift your spirits, but it can go deeper than that. Research shows that laughter aids depression recovery, and people who laugh more become depressed and anxious less often. People who use humor as a coping mechanism generally have a more positive view of life, which can help prevent feelings of depression.

Benefit of Laughter #8:

Boost your immunity. Laughter can improve immune system activity, while stimulating circulation and oxygen uptake throughout the body.

Benefit of Laughter #9:

Get better sleep. A study in Japan showed that laughing more in the evening actually improve sleep quality. (source) So watching a little of your favorite sitcom or reading a funny book before bed might help you catch some more shut-eye!

Source: livingthenourishedlife.com