Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Link Between Humour and Wellbeing

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Laughter is the Best Medicine:...

Mental Wellness

Bhoomi Dhariwal

May 22 , 2024

How often have you heard the term “laughter is the best medicine”? Chances are, you’ve heard it more than once. But did you know actual research has been conducted on the link between humour and wellbeing? It turns out that this adage holds more truth than we might have imagined. Besides merely lifting our spirits, laughter has been scientifically proven to have a myriad of benefits for both our physical and mental health.

The Science of Being Funny

Having a sense of humor has several health benefits which can be seen in both short and long term.

When we talk about short term benefits, laughter doesn’t just lighten your mental load, it has loads of physical benefits as well. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen and rouses your heart, lungs, and muscles. It stimulates circulation and aids muscle relaxation, which helps reduce the physical symptoms of stress. Additionally, it provides a feeling of relaxation by firing up and then cooling down your stress responses, heart rate, and blood pressure. Lastly, it also aids the brain in releasing endorphins.

Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up though, it also has several long-term benefits like reducing your pain levels by allowing the body to create its own painkillers. It also improves personal satisfaction of individuals by making it easier for you to cope with difficult situations.

When negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions, it can affect the body by increasing the stress levels and decreasing your immunity. On the contrast, laughing and having positive thoughts help improve your immunity by releasing “Neuropeptides”, that help fight stress and potentially other serious illnesses.

Hormone Released While Laughing

'Cortisol’ is the body’s primary stress hormone. When cortisol is low it lets the body improve, its immune system and overall health. So, let’s see release of which hormones can reduce cortisol levels in your body and help you feel better:

Dopamine is also known as the feel-good hormone. Dopamine is involved in the brain’s reward system. it enhances the individual's mood, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Moreover, it can also help improve one’s focus and attention.
Serotonin regulates one’s mood, social behaviour, appetite, digestion, sleep, learning ability, and memory. It contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being. Increased levels of serotonin are said to be linked to reduced stress levels, anxiety, and depression.
Oxytocin is often called the love hormone, as it is associated with social bonding and trust. This hormone plays an essential role in childbirth and forming a strong parent-child bond. High levels of oxytocin foster bonding, increase trust, and promote a sense of security and well-being in all social interactions. Simply being attracted to someone can lead to a buildup of oxytocin, but physical affection also contributes to its production. According to research, dog owners as well as their dogs see an increase in oxytocin when interacting with each other.
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. It promotes an overall sense of well-being. Endorphin levels may also increase when you engage in reward-producing activities such as eating or working out. If you feel like pampering yourself with a self-care day, endorphin levels can also increase with a massage.

Photo by Jamie Brown Team on Unsplash

So, now that you know the benefits of having a good sense of humor and laughing more, how can you incorporate laughing more in your busy life?

Watching comedy shows or movies is an easy way to laugh more. The media is a rich source of humor that can easily trigger laughter. So next time you are sitting down to binge watch, maybe switch over to a comedy show for a while.
Spending time with fun people is an obvious way to laugh more. So, all those funny friends and family member you have, might deserve more praise and acknowledgement for improving not only your mood but also you physical and mental health.
Reading humorous books that make you laugh is a great way to enjoy your downtime and maybe get you interested in picking up a book once in a while.
Join a laughter yoga class. The guided exercises can help you laugh more frequently and easily.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at your mistakes or embarrassing moments. This can help you cope with stress and avoid taking life too seriously.

In this fast-paced and stressful world laughter is indeed the best medicine that you can take for your body. It offers a plethora of benefits for both mental and physical health. It is a natural and cost-free remedy that can enhance your mood immune system, reduce stress, and foster social connections. By leading a life with a little more humour, you can navigate the challenges coming your way with a lighter heart and a more resilient mind. So, embrace the joy of laughter and spread its positive effects to all your near and dear ones. But if you still face difficulty regulating you mood, don’t hesitate to a health care specialist at Heart it Out!