Laugh it off

Our bodies cannot differentiate between real laughter and forced laughter. If you just keep laughing, even if you are not caught up in anything amusing, endorphins still flood the body, anxiety still recedes, serotonin increases in your brain and you feel much better. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.

Benefits:

Lowers blood pressure

People who lower their blood pressure, even those who start at normal levels, will reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack.

Reduces stress hormone levels

By reducing the level of stress hormones, you’re simultaneously cutting the anxiety and stress that impacts your body. Additionally, the reduction of stress hormones may result in higher immune system performance. Just think: laughing along as a co-worker tells a funny joke can relieve some of the day’s stress and help you reap the health benefits of laughter.

Works your abs

One of the benefits of laughter is that it can help you tone your abs. When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs. Meanwhile, the muscles you are not using to laugh are getting an opportunity to relax. Add laughter to your ab routine and make getting a toned tummy more enjoyable.

Improves cardiac health

Laughter is a great cardio workout, especially for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness. It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health.

Boosts t-cells

T-cells are specialized immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation. When you laugh, you activate T-cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness. Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan.

Triggers the release of endorphins

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.

Make you happy

Laughter can increase your overall sense of well-being. Doctors have found that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative.

My articles about Laughing Therapy in the Royal Gazette Bermuda

Laugh your way to a healthier life

Under the Laughing Tree