When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs. Meanwhile, the muscles you are not using to laugh are getting an opportunity to relax. Add laughter to your ab routine and make getting a toned tummy more enjoyable. Laughter is a great cardio workout, especially for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness.
It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health. T-cells are specialized immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation. When you laugh, you activate T-cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness.
Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over. Laughter can increase your overall sense of well-being. Doctors have found that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative. On a more microscopic level, laughter releases a flood of endorphins. We also know that laughter decreases the presence of stress hormones, and promotes the function of immune cells and antibodies.
So a good chuckle also provides an extra boost in immune function! And there are cognitive benefits of laughter, too.
Shifting into this mindset can help you perceive things as less immediately threatening. With this more spacious perspective, the brain can realistically consider information that previously was categorized as overwhelming, leading to more rational and productive decision making.
When daily life feels heavy, laughter can stop negative emotions in their tracks and replace them with feelings of gratitude, presence, and abundance.
A positive attitude is more resilient and adaptive, leading to more constructive problem-solving strategies in the long term. One of the most profound outcomes of laughing is that it can foster deep social connection. Sharing a moment of joy with another person, especially in the midst of something difficult, is truly unifying.
Sharing a joke helps to diffuse tension, and maintain connection with those who matter most. Ultimately, it is important to try to keep a grounded perspective in the midst of what feels like chaos. Provide yourself with some extra buoyancy by maintaining your humor and prioritizing a little bit of laughter.
Your email address will not be published. Constant Therapy Health does not provide rehabilitation services and does not guarantee improvements in brain function. Constant Therapy Health provides tools for self-help and tools for patients to work with their clinicians.
All rights reserved. Previous post Next post. Constant Therapy Apr 3, Brain health. What can we do to lighten the current load on our mental health? Think of it like exercise or breakfast and make a conscious effort to find something each day that makes you laugh. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes and do something that amuses you.
The ability to laugh, play, and have fun not only makes life more enjoyable but also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and think more creatively.
People who incorporate humor and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships. Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination. But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.
Playing with problems seems to come naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they make their problems into a game, giving them a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.
Here are two examples of people who took everyday problems and turned them around through laughter and play:. Roy , a semi-retired businessman, was excited to finally have time to devote to golf, his favorite sport. But the more he played, the less he enjoyed himself. Although his game had improved dramatically, he got angry with himself over every mistake.
Roy wisely realized that his golfing buddies affected his attitude, so he stopped playing with people who took the game too seriously. When he played with friends who focused more on having fun than on their scores, he was less critical of himself. Now golfing was as enjoyable as Roy had envisioned.
He scored better without working harder. And the brighter outlook he was gaining from his companions and the game spread to other parts of his life. Jane worked at home designing greeting cards, a job she used to love but now felt had become routine.
Two little girls who loved to draw and paint lived next door. Eventually, Jane invited the girls over to play with all of her art supplies. At first, she just watched, but in time she joined in. Not only did it end her loneliness and boredom, but it sparked her imagination and helped her artwork flourish. As laughter, humor, and play become integrated into your life, your creativity will flourish and new opportunities for laughing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily.
Laughter takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, and joyful perspective. A generous donor will match all contributions made before December 31 — doubling your gift and your impact! Cookie Policy. Learn how to harness the powerful benefits of laughter and humor. Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body. The Benefits of Laughter and Humor Physical health benefits Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease Mental health benefits Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and tension Relieves stress Improves mood Strengthens resilience Social benefits Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding Laughter helps you stay mentally healthy Laughter makes you feel good.
The link between laughter and mental health Laughter stops distressing emotions. How laughing together can strengthen relationships Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Humor and laughter in relationships allows you to: Be more spontaneous. Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back is pushed aside. Use humor to resolve disagreements and tension in your relationship Laughter is an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high.
How to bring more laughter into your life Laughter is your birthright, a natural part of life that is innate and inborn.
Here are some ways to start: Smile. Invite friends or co-workers out to a comedy club. Read the funny pages. Seek out funny people. Share a good joke or a funny story. Host game night with friends. Play with a pet. Goof around with children. Do something silly. Make time for fun activities e. Print PDF. Will you be the Gift of Hope this holiday season?
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