You may have heard that “laughter is the best medicine,” but why? And how much truth is in that common statement? It turns out that laughter is actually better than you might think, and regularly engaging in activities that make you laugh can be beneficial to both your physical and mental health, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Why do we laugh?
According to an article from CNN Health, the frontal lobe first determines whether or not the information that it is gathering is funny. This decision “triggers an emotional response in the limbic system, which controls feelings like pleasure and fear.” This system then triggers a physical response that manifests itself in the form of laughter. If you would like to learn more about the science of laughter, watch these TED Talks about by Sasha Winkler and Seth Peace.
What are the benefits of laughter?
Short term benefits include increased oxygen intake which stimulates organs such as the heart, lungs and muscles, stress relief and soothed tension. Long term benefits include a boosted immune system, the production of natural painkillers, increased personal satisfaction and a general improvement in mood, according to the Mayo Clinic.
According to CNN Health, laughter can also help improve relationships between individuals as well as community groups. The article cites a study at the University of California, Berkely that began in 1989 and studies long term romantic relationships. The study showed that couples that stayed together longer and reported that they were happier in their relationships also laughed together during stressful conversations, which led to more positive emotions overall.
It also helps to keep larger groups together. “Janet Gibson, a professor emerita of cognitive psychology at Grinnell College in Iowa, said that laughter evolved in humans as a communication signal.” She claims that laughter allowed groups to stay together better as a community and acts as a sort of relational “glue.” She also notes that laughter is thought of as universal throughout the world even if different groups find different things funny, according to CNN Health.
How to laugh more
- Visit a comedy club or watch comedy shows on demand or on streaming services
- Try your hand at an improv class or workshop at a local theater or acting school
- Read this list of dad jokes from Today!
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