There are distinct and definite benefits to humour and laughter when done alone and even more so with others. Laughter is contagious with the sound of laughter more infectious that any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. It binds people together, increasing a sense of well-being and feelings of closeness. Laughter triggers healthy physical changes in the body. It strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, diminishes pain, and protects from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, laughter comes with no cost and is fun and easy to use.
Laughter is excellent medicine for both the mind and body. It is powerful in diminishing stress, pain, and conflict. A good laugh can bring your mind and body back into balance. It can lighten your burdens, gives hope, connects us with others, and keeps us grounded, focused and alert.
The benefits of laughter are many.
Physical Health Benefits:
- Boosts immunity.
- Lowers stress hormones.
- Decreases pain.
- Relaxes your muscles.
- Prevents heart disease.
Mental Health Benefits:
- Adds joy and excitement to life.
- Eases anxiety and fear.
- Relieves stress.
- Improves mood.
- Enhances resilience.
Social Benefits:
- Strengthens relationships.
- Attracts others to us.
- Enhances teamwork.
- Helps defuse conflict.
- Promotes group bonding.
Humour and laughter with others:
Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone. Shared laughter
keeps relationships exciting and fresh. Any type of emotional sharing builds stronger relationships, but the sharing of laughter adds a sense of joy and builds up resilience. Humour is extremely helpful in healing resentment and hurts. It unites people in difficult times.
Create opportunities for laughter:
- Smile – it’s the beginning of laughter and it is possible to laugh without experiencing a funny event.
- Bring humor into your conversations by asking – what’s the funniest thing you experienced this week?
- Watch a humorous movie or TV show.
- Watch a funny video clip.
- Go to a comedy club.
- Seek out funny people.
- Share a good joke or a funny story.
- Check out your bookstore’s humor section.
- Host game night with friends.
- Play with a pet.
- Join a laughter group – they do exist.
- Goof around with children.
- Make time for fun activities such as bowling or karaoke.
- Do something silly.
- Most importantly learn to laugh at yourself.
Make use of humour and laughter to overcome challenges and enhance your life. The ability to laugh, play and have fun with others makes life more enjoyable and also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. As you make laughter more a part of your life, you can begin to be more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and have a more balanced perspective of the world.