In fact, its an often overlooked tool in our arsenal in the battle tomaintain good health.
We’re not only being entertained but also enhancing our physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Here’s how it works.
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
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Physical Benefits of Humor
At its most basic level, laughter affects our physical body.
It exercises our diaphragm, enabling us to take in more oxygenated air and stimulating our lungs.
Moments of raucous laughter also relieve tension in our muscles.
This leads to several benefits.
Increases Heart Health
As we laugh at hilarious events, our cardiac health improves.
He commonly uses an icebreaker to help put patients at ease and hopefully bring a smile to their faces.
This approach serves multiple purposes.
In addition to helping his patients feel more comfortable, hes also contributing to lessening their perception of pain.
Lets say we have a migraine but are watching a hysterically funny show.
As we watch and laugh, we may become at least somewhat distracted from the migraine pain and discomfort.
But the distraction alone isnt what reduces our pain perception.
Because were laughing up a storm, our body produces these natural painkillers.
Improves Sleep
Laughing offers another physical benefit: it can help us sleep better.
Their sleep quality improved during this time, as did theirfeelings of depression.
Physicians and mental health professionals can use laughter to help patients achieve positive health outcomes.
Psychological Benefits of Humor
Some benefits of humor are related to our psychological well-being.
Decreasing cortisol is important because high levels tax our immune system.
Plus, when were preoccupied with something funny, we cant simultaneously focus on negativity.
Humorous interludes can give us a break from worrying.
Humor can even provide a healthy perspective.
Maybe after laughing, we discover a new angle on a problem.
Perhaps we realize that weve gotten through other difficult periods and are reassured.
With a new perspective, we might view threats such as challenges and problems as opportunities.
Or we might intentionally find the funny aspects of a stressful problem.
Laughing can alleviate the stress and anxiety we experience during difficult or challenging times.
Namely, it canimprove memory retention.
When relevant humor is paired with a fact, we tend to have a better recollection of that fact.
Our relationships benefit in several ways when we connect with others through humor.
Brings People Together
A shared laugh creates a bond between people.
Most of us remember a time when laughter became contagious and spread fast through a group.
People usuallyfeel closer to othersafter laughing together, too.
They will likely walk away in a better mood and happier than before.
It all comes down to engaging with people in a human way.
Bianca L. Rodriguez, LMFT
There is something sacred about humor.
If you could laugh at yourself, then you could forgive yourself.
And if you’re able to forgive yourself, you’re able to forgive others.
It connects with our understanding of ourselves and others.
Therefore, we should turn to whatever makes us laugh, especially during trying times.
Those viral social media videos and funny memes are not momentary pleasures.
They help us cope with anxiety, fear, and grief.
At the same time, well also be activating a host of health-related benefits for ourselves and others.
The myriad of health benefits of humor and laughter are wide-reaching.
We can bring more humor into our lives by looking for opportunities to laugh.
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