health
Health benefits of a good laugh
from Metro Creative Connection
Most people have heard the adage that “ laughter is the best medicine .” There are many indications that laughter can be beneficial to the mind and body , and that the perks of laughter and humor are far-reaching .
Various professionals have studied the clinical benefits of laughter , including Dr . Lee Berk and Dr . Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University in California . Here is what these experts say in regard to the benefits of a few good belly laughs .
• Boosts immune system
A 2016 study titled “ The Laughter Prescription ” and published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that the amount of laughter a person experiences is related to the immune system ’ s ability to fight off infections , among other benefits . The study references additional research that indicated spontaneous ( not forced ) laughter boosts the immune system by increasing natural killer ( NK ) cell activity . Levels were measured after participants watched a one-hour humorous video . NK cells are lymphocytes with a unique ability to kill a broad spectrum of cancerous and virus-infected cells , according to the National Institutes of Health . Laughing out loud improves immune system function and increases heart rate and oxygen levels .
• Lowers blood pressure Individuals who laugh often have lower blood pressure than those who laugh less often . Lower blood pressure reduces the risk for stroke and heart attack .
• Helps heal the brain
Laughing can help reverse symptoms of grief or depression by increasing the pleasure-enhancing neurochemicals in the brain , according to the Dr . Sears Wellness Institute . A good laugh also may help people recovering from chronic illnesses by helping to alleviate fear and anxiety that could otherwise preoccupy the mind .
• Suppresses stress hormones Drs . Berk and Tan found that the stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol decrease following laughter . Laughter may help people feel less stressed and overwhelmed .
• Provides a small body workout
Hearty laughter can exercise the diaphragm , contract the abdominals and even work the shoulders and muscles in the face . Laughter also gets the heart pumping at a rate that burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking slowly .
• Provides natural pain relief
Research suggests that laughter decreases inflammation that may contribute to pain . Researchers at the University of Maryland found that laughing also increases blood flow , which may help to reduce pain as well .
Finding ways to laugh more is an easy and fun way to improve overall health .
50 Valdosta Scene | August 2022