Do you know just how beneficial laughter is for your body?
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." - Charlie Chaplin
Laughter is the best medicine. And it's not just another old saying because it's actually backed by scientific evidence. Studies have found that good laughter (you know, the kind that leaves your abdomen aching) can improve your health in ways that traditional medicines cannot. The best part is it's free and has absolutely no side effects. Whether by sharing a meme with friends, watching a good comedy show or simply finding humor in everyday life, do laugh quite often!
Well, World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May (this year, it is May 5th) every year. And the goal is pretty simple: encouraging people to laugh out loud and enjoy the beauty of life. Moreover, it also spreads awareness about laughter yoga, laughter clubs, and other such things.
So, today, let's learn about the positive effects laughter can bring to your health.
Remember Boman Irani's character in 'Munna Bhai MBBS'? He laughs whenever he is stressed, and it's actually a science-backed mechanism. When you laugh, your body releases feel-good hormones (especially endorphins) which reduce your stress levels. On the other hand, it restricts the release of cortisol hormones in the body, which also helps reduce your stress levels. Also, a good laughter relaxes your body's muscles and interrupts the cycle of negative thoughts in your mind.
So, the next time you feel low, consider laughing out loud!
By stimulating the release of feel-good hormones in your body and reducing the level of cortisol, laughter boosts the overall activities of your immune system. Also, studies have found that laughter promotes the production of immune cells, which help fight off illnesses. When you laugh, it improves blood flow throughout the body, allowing immune cells to travel better and fight off pathogens.
So, laugh more often if you are suffering from weak immunity.
Yes, laughing frequently can indirectly help your body to lose weight as well. First of all, by reducing cortisol (which promotes weight gain) levels in the body, it increases your metabolic rate to a great extent. Also, it promotes muscle activities and burns a good number of calories, both of which aid in your weight loss journey. Last but not least, sharing laughter with others contributes to social connection, which has been proven to increase testosterone levels in the body. And as you know, more testosterone means more muscle mass and more muscle mass means better weight management.
Well, reduced stress levels, strengthened immune system, and weight management - all of these contribute to better heart health. When you laugh, it promotes blood flow to your heart and helps the organ work more efficiently. Also, it relaxes the muscles in the cardiovascular system, allowing it to work better. And studies have found that people who laugh frequently are at a 46% lower risk of heart attack than those who don't.
Laughter can indeed work wonders. So, get more laughter in your everyday life, and make the most of it!
