The Physical and Social Benefit of Laughter

Here’s a great article that speaks to both the health and social benefits of humor. So if you’re sick and alone, or if you’re alone because you’re sick, here’s the cure for you.

By Kim Wier
via DailySentinel.com

I think I know why my family rarely gets sick — we laugh, a lot! We did not strategically plan laughter as a healthy lifestyle choice. We just think most things have a funny side. While this might be off putting to those who take things seriously, we get the last laugh; it turns out there are some real health benefits water gun fights in the living room, dressing up to watch The Wizard of Oz and Hoola-hoop competitions. We’re not proud of it, but we also get cheap thrills laughing at others, like the man with plumber’s pants in front of us in the grocery store line. Thanks to his lack of modesty we may actually live longer.

Laughter is actually the birthright of every single person; it isn’t something we have to learn. Infants begin smiling in the first weeks of life and laugh out loud within months. I’ll never forget the day our first born became hysterical for the first time at the sound of ripping paper. He was only 6 month old. We didn’t teach that — God imbedded it. Now researchers are explaining why. From studying laughter’s effects on the body we are beginning to understand how vital it is our overall well being.

WebMD documents that “Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally — expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

Research also shows immunity benefits. “Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells, as well.

“One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.

“The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.”

Other benefits that have been documented include: relaxing muscles, preventing heart disease, lowering stress hormones, easing anxiety and fear, relieves stress, improves mood, and enhances resilience.

But it is not just our health that’s affected. There are also social benefits to frequent laughter. Sharing humor with others strengthens relationships, attracts others to us, enhances teamwork, helps defuse conflict, and promotes group bonding. As proof, consider the Brady Bunch –or think of your own relationships. Those you never laugh with are probably on the stressful side. Those you consider enjoyable are most likely people you regularly have fun with.

So, if you want to improve your health, improve your relationships and improve your overall outlook on life, humor is the best medicine. If you are a humor novice, (and you probably are if people are always telling you to ‘lighten up) there here are a few suggestions for creating opportunities to laugh: spend time playing with children, read a joke book and tell the worst ones to a friend, read the funny pages, hang out with a funny person, invite the happiest couple you know to dinner, go to a comedy club or a karaoke night, host a game night, share your most embarrassing moments out loud, find time for purely fun activities like bowling or mini-golf, put a toy on your desk, find something ridiculous in trying situations and laugh at them, load a funny screen saver, or frame pictures of you having fun with family or friends.

Finally, pay attention to kids and do what they do. Masters of play and laughter, they still exercise the funny bone God implanted in each of His children.

Research proves it, but God ordained it: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

If you’re feeling dry, it’s time for a good dose of laughter!