Happily ever laughter!
Enjoy the health benefits of a side-splitting belly laugh and big silly grin
Whether it’s a giggle, chortle or a hearty burst of laughter, it turns out there’s some scientific truth behind the old adage “laughter is the best medicine”.
Boost immunity
There’s nothing like a laugh to keep your spirits up, but according to Dr Lee-fay Low, associate professor of ageing and health at the University of Sydney, its benefits reach far beyond just improving your mood.
“When you start to laugh, it triggers physiological changes that strengthen your immunity,” she says. This includes a reduction in your stress hormones and an increase in the number of immune cells and infectionfighting antibodies.
Experience less pain
Instead of heading to the medicine cabinet next time a headache strikes, try watching your favourite comedy sitcom for short-term pain relief. Not only does it distract you from your aches and pains, but it triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller.
“It’s important to realise that while laughter itself doesn’t cure anything, it can ease the challenges of being sick, especially when used in the hospital setting,” says Dr Steve Ellen, professor of psychiatry at the University of Melbourne.
Stay mentally healthy
Most of us experience feelings of sadness from time to time, but according to Dr Ellen, choosing to laugh in the face of adversity can put the spring back in your step.
“Not only does laughter provide relief from your everyday struggles, but it also helps to relieve depression and stress,” he says.
Aside from reducing mental tension and anxiety, laughter also increases energy levels, which helps you to stay focused, enabling you to accomplish more – and that hat in turn leads to feeling more positive about yourself.
Dr Low adds a positive outlook helps you to see tricky situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. “It’s about changing your perspective to overcome those feelings of stress,” she says.
Prevent heart disease
While a giggle is undeniably entertaining, Dr Ellen says it can be a powerful complement to traditional medicine.
“The truly good news is that laughter doesn’t seem to have any negative side effects,” he says.
A University of Maryland (US) study revealed that people with heart disease were 40 per cent less likely to laugh compared to those of the same age without heart disease. Researchers found that laughter increases healthy blood flow to your heart, boosting the function of your blood vessels and reducing your risk of heart attack.