When you watch a comedy show, hear a joke or enjoy recounting a funny story with friends and family, you’re doing good things for your health. The sound of roaring laughter can make anyone feel happy. In fact, of all the different types of human behaviors, laughter seems to be the most innate and unique in nature.
Laughter is defined as the physiological response of the brain to humor and it consists of two parts: a set of gestures and the production of sound.
* Provides an Internal WorkoutLaughing is a simple process, yet it is considered the best internal workout technique. When you have a good belly laugh, it exercises the diaphragm, abdomen, respiratory system and even the shoulders. This is why your muscles are more relaxed and calm after a good laugh.
* Reduces StressLaughter is a great form of stress relief. It causes a decrease in the levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. At the same time, laughter increases the level of health-enhancing hormones.
* Improves Sleep QualityIf you are having difficulty enjoying sound sleep at night, laughter is one of the best medicines that you can try. Laughing causes the body to produce more melatonin, the hormone released by the brain that helps you sleep better.Some scientific research in the field of sleep and insomnia has found that laughter helps improve sleep patterns, which is helpful in treating insomnia.
* Fights DepressionLaughter can help people suffering from either seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or full-blown depression. A study published in the journal Geriatrics Gerontology International found that laughter therapy can reduce depression in elderly people.
* Boosts the Immune System
If you have a weak immune system, you can improve it with a regular dose of laughter. Several studies have proven that laughter can improve the immune system by increasing the number of anti-infection antibodies as well as T-cells in the blood.