“Your sense of humor is one
of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and
emotional state support good health.”~ Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
Laughter
is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or
more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good
laugh. Humoer lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you others, and
keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With
so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is
a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships,
and supporting both physical and emotional health.
Laughter is good for your health.
·
Laughter
relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical
tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
·
Laughter
boots the immunesystem. Laughter desreases stress hormones and
increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your
resistance to disease.
·
Laughter
triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good
chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even
temporarily relieve pain.
·
Laughter
protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood
vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart
attack and other cardiovascular problems.
·
Llaughter and humor help you stay
emotionally healthy
Laughter
makes you feel good. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains
with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive,
optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.
More
than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and
strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of
times, a laugh-or even simply a smile-can go a long way toward making you feel
better. And laughter really is contagious-just hearing laughter primes your
brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.
Tthe link between kaughter and mental
health
·
Laughter
dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious,
angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
·
Laughter
helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and
increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.
·
Humor
shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more
realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological
·
Distance, which can help you avoid feeling
overwhelmed.
The Benefits of Lughter
Physical Health Benefits:
|
Mental Health Benefits:
|
Social Benefits:
|
·
Boosts
immunity
·
Lowers
stress hormones
·
Decreases
pain
·
Relaxes
your muscles
·
Prevents
heart disease
|
·
Adds
joy and zest to life
·
Eases
anxiety and fear
·
Relieves
stress
·
Improves
mood
·
Enhances
resilience
|
·
Strengthens
relationships
·
Attracts
others to us
·
Enhances
teamwork
·
Helps
defuse conflict
·
Promotes
group bonding
|