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There’s a reason why people say ‘laughter is the best medicine’. Not only does it bring people together, but it can also trigger healthy physical and emotional reactions.
Who hasn’t felt their spirits lift when they’ve found something amusing? Whether smiling at a fond memory or belly laughing at a silly joke, laughter provides more than just a break from difficult times. It can also bring feelings of courage, strength, and hope.
Below, we’ll explore some of the ways laughter and humour can boost mental and physical health, and look at how you can add more of it to your life.
The benefits of humour and laughing
Research tells us that laughter can…
- Relax the entire body – a hearty laugh can help to relieve physical tension and stress for around 45 minutes.
- Help you live longer – this study found that those with a strong sense of humour lived longer than those who didn’t.
- Boost your immune system – laughter can decrease stress hormones (such as cortisol) and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies – all of which improve the body’s resistance to disease.
- Trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s feel-good chemicals) – endorphins can increase positive feelings and relieve pain for a short time.
- Improve blood vessel functioning and increase blood flow – this can lower our risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Burn calories – while laughing isn’t a replacement for regular exercise, a study found that laughing for 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories. This means that over a year, laughing can help a person lose three to four pounds.
- Ward off negative emotions – when you laugh, it’s more difficult to feel angry, anxious, or sad.
- Reduce stress, boost energy, and improve focus – these can all help you accomplish more.
- Release inhibitions – laughter can help us feel more carefree, giving us the courage to try new things and step outside our comfort zones.
- Help you express your true feelings – laughter can be a gateway to release other emotions that we might have been suppressing. It’s not uncommon for someone to laugh hysterically, only for their laughter to turn into sad tears as other emotions start to leak through.
- Improve memory – humour and laughter can assist with memory retention. Research has found that information is more likely to be remembered and shared if the material makes the person studying it laugh.
- Diffuse anger and conflict – seeing the funny side of a situation can put problems into perspective, allowing you to move forward from confrontation without bitterness or resentment.
- Strengthen relationships – laughing together can help build strong, lasting bonds while keeping relationships fresh and exciting. It can also unite people during difficult times.
- Improve sleep – laughter decreases stress hormones, relaxes your muscles, and stimulates the release of feel-good hormones. If you can have a good laugh before you settle down for the night, you may stand a better chance of having an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
- Break the ice – humour can help people relax in social situations. Sharing a joke can also act as a conversation starter and might make someone’s day.
9 tips to help you laugh more
Understanding the positives of humour and laughter is one thing, but you might be wondering how you can bring more of them into your life.
We hope the following nine tips will help you add some light and laughter to your day.
1. Avoid becoming fixated on the negative
It’s all too easy to focus on the negative elements of life, like news stories, encounters with challenging people, or conversations that have made you feel unhappy. But, it’s possible to see the lighter side of life by accepting that there’s much beyond our control.
This acceptance can not only help you let go of negativity and worry, but also allow more headspace to focus on what you can control and the positives in your life.
A good place to start when trying to break free from negativity is to make a list of all the things you’re most grateful for. Try to look at the list frequently and add to it as often as you can.
Our articles, How to learn the skill of optimism and How practising gratitude can lead to a happier life, have plenty more tips for adopting a positive mindset. You may also like to read our mindfulness guide.
2. Start with a smile
If laughter isn’t something that comes naturally, or you don’t feel as though you have much to laugh about right now, why not start with a smile? Like laughter, smiling can improve your mood and is contagious.
Rather than looking down when you’re out in public, try to smile at people around you. This can not only help you feel more positive, but also make others around you feel good.
3. Listen to Laughies
According to research from the University of Derby, recording a ‘Laughie’ can be a great way to help introduce humour and laughter into your life.
A Laughie is a recording of your own laughter, which you then play back to yourself, prompting you to laugh. It’s suggested that you use the Laughie technique whenever you have a spare moment, whether you’re on your own or with others.
There’s also no right or wrong place or way to listen to or record a Laughie. Although it’s said that the best results are achieved when the recording sounds natural and is listened to for at least a minute a day.
4. Learn to laugh at yourself
Rather than beating yourself up about mistakes or personal shortcomings, try to laugh at them instead. Learning to laugh at yourself isn’t always easy, but it does have a positive impact. It can help you overcome feelings of embarrassment and embrace your imperfections.
Laughing at yourself can also encourage you to take yourself less seriously, which can make life more fun. We’re more likely to try new things and grab life with both hands if we’re prepared to laugh off the outcome – whether it’s good or bad.
5. Watch comedy movies or TV shows
You can create opportunities to laugh by watching funny TV shows or movies. For some inspiration, you can check out our articles: 20 of the best comedy films of all time and 20 classic comedy series everyone should watch.
There are also countless amusing articles and videos online – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are good places to start. Books can be full of humour, too. Amazon has lots of options for funny reads.
Humour can be very personal, so it can take some trial and error to discover what things really get you laughing. Remember, it’s not weird if someone finds something funny and you don’t – you just have a different sense of humour, and that’s okay.
6. Look for humour – even in negative situations
It’s easy to grumble about bad situations, but trying to look for the humour in them can be more helpful. When something negative happens, if possible, turn it into a funny story that’ll make other people laugh. It can provide some light relief for everyone involved.
7. Make time to laugh daily
Try to make time to laugh every day by incorporating it into your routine.
Laughter doesn’t always have to be connected to a spontaneous You’ve Been Framed-style moment. You can also schedule time in your day (as little as 10 minutes will do) for something that you find amusing. This could be watching funny videos or listening to an amusing podcast. The more frequently you’re able to laugh, the less effort it’ll take.
8. Embrace your inner child
If you’re looking to connect with your playful side, why not reflect on your childhood and see if there are things you enjoyed then that you can still do as an adult? Colouring or doing jigsaw puzzles, for example, are fun activities for all ages.
Plus, if you have children in your life, why not try spending more time with them? Children are experts at playing, not taking life too seriously, and laughing at the simplest things – all of which can be infectious.
9. Try laughter yoga
Laughter yoga is a combination of breathing techniques and laughing exercises. It’s based on the idea that by laughing (even if you don’t find anything funny), you’ll benefit from the psychological and physiological advantages that come with it.
The best way to practise laughter yoga is in a group, as eye contact can make laughter come more naturally.
Final thoughts…
Considering the many health benefits of humour and laughing, it’s understandable why the phrase, ‘laughter is the best medicine’, has become so popular.
So, whether it’s comedy shows, family and friends, funny videos, memes, or songs that make you laugh, try to engage with them as often as you can – especially during difficult times. Laughter and smiles aren’t just fleeting moments of happiness; they can be effective tools for coping with anxiety, fear, and grief. Plus, humour can break the ice, release tension, and bring people together.
If you feel short of reasons to crack a smile right now, check out our article: 20 happy facts to make your day a little better. You could also join the Feel Good Club on Rest Less Events, which offers a creative space to share and hear feel-good stories.
Do you agree that laughter is the best medicine? What made you laugh today? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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