Why is Laughter Good Medicine

We’ve all heard the old adage “Laughter is the best medicine”, but is that true?

Studies have shown for a long time that it is in fact true. There is a lot of good to be had from a good laugh, for one, did you know that it helps relieve pain and discomfort by increasing endorphins? It also strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy and even helps to protect you from the damaging effects of stress.

Laughter has also been shown to improve your heart. Recent studies have shown that a mere 15 minutes of laughter a day will help maintain the protective barrier that lines our blood vessels. By maintaining them, we reduce our chances of having a heart attack.

In this same study of 300 people, 150 of them had a heart attack or had undergone heart surgery, the other 150 had not. After filling out a questionnaire, it was found that the 150 that had never had heart problems, responded with more humor and more positively to every day events. They also displayed less anger and hostility.

Laughter helps us connect to other people. It’s as contagious as a yawn, but a lot more fun! You can find yourself in a room full of strangers and if someone starts laughing, the whole room will be laughing in no time! Laughter and a sense of humor helps married couples endure the stress of everyday life and some even claim that laughter is the glue that holds most marriages together.

Laughter has been found to change us physiologically. It increases our pulse and blood pressure, we breathe faster and that sends more oxygen to our tissues, which can offer similar advantages as a workout! And, like exercise, 15 minutes of exercise can burn up to 50 calories!

Another study has found that laughter even has a positive effect on blood sugar levels. This particular study included 19 diabetics that were fed a particular meal. After eating, the group attended a lecture. The next day they ate the same meal and then watched a comedy.

After the comedy, their blood sugar was lower than it had been the day before after the lecture! While this isn’t a definitive study, it is a little more evidence that laughter really IS the best medicine!