Photo credit: Dan Cook on Unsplash

Laughter Really IS The Best Medicine

You know that saying — “laughter is the best medicine”? Well, laughter really and truly IS good for you.

I’m certainly not making light of this global pandemic. It is serious.

At the same time, finding moments to laugh can provide many emotional and physical benefits that can help us to cope with stressful and difficult situations.

So as I share a little on why laughter is good for your soul, I’m also sharing some of my favourite memes that I hope will make you smile or even laugh out loud!

#1. Giggle Your Stress Away

One of the short-term effects of laughter is that it can help you to feel less stressed! Pretty amazing, right?!

When you laugh, it can help to improve the circulation in your body and also help your muscles to relax. Two things that can help you to unwind from tension and stress.

The other way laughter can help you feel less stressed is that it winds up and then calms your stress response down. Afterwards, your body feels nice and calm.

#2. Tickle Your Insides

Another short-term positive effect of laughter is how it benefits your organs. That’s right, my friend. When you lose it over a clever pun or corny joke, you’re actually stimulating your internal organs.

“Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.”

-The Mayo Clinic Staff

#3. Laugh Your Pain Away

Another amazing potential impact of laughter is that is might help your body to produce its own natural painkillers.

So the next time you stub your toe… try laughing it off!

#4. Boost Your Immune System  

We’ve talked in other posts about how powerful your thoughts are. Turns out that your positive thoughts could also be helping to boost your immunity!

When you think negative thoughts, you release chemicals in your brain that cause stress and may lower your immunity. But when you think positive thoughts, you release positive hormones, like neuropeptides. These fight against stress and maybe even other types of illnesses.

#5. What You Focus On Grows   

When you develop a good sense of humour and that’s what you focus on — looking for the humour in life — that will continue to grow. And this ability can help you make it through difficult situations.

I learned to laugh a lot from my father, who despite all of his challenges, is determined to find things to laugh about (and make other people laugh too!).

“You can either laugh or cry. You might as well laugh about it!”

-My father

#6. Connect Through Laughter  

Most of us would rather spend time around people who are cheerful and have a good sense of humour. Why?

Because they’re pleasant and fun people to be around!

Laughter can help you to develop more connections with the people around you. And pretty soon, people will love to see you coming because they know you’ll brighten their day.

#7. Lift Your Mood With A Good Belly Laugh

If we’re someone that tends to struggle with our mood, then learning how to laugh could help us to lift our mood. Focusing on how down or anxious we feel over an extended period of time will only feed that.

Of course, we need to deal with those emotions. And one way we can build more resilience and help ourselves to feel better is to have a good sense of humour.

#7. Use Laughter To Diffuse Tension Or Anger

It’s hard to stay angry at someone when you’re laughing together. One way you can release tension and anger is by sharing a laugh. It can help to lower the stress hormones so you can solve the conflict in a healthy, constructive way.

#8. Give Your Abs A Workout

Have you ever noticed that after a really good belly laugh, your abs might feel sore? That’s because laughter exercises your diaphragm and your abdominal muscles.

And it can also help you burn some extra calories!

Enjoy The Lighter Side Of Life

Life is not always a laughing matter. But regardless of the circumstances that we’re in, we always have a choice about how we respond.

We can choose a bad attitude, to be grumpy or to stay angry about life. Or, we can look for and intentionally create moments to laugh about with the people we love.