What Everybody Ought to Know About Laughter

Plain and simple, laughter is powerful medicine; it’s one of the best ways to combat stress. Let’s look at some common stress statistics:

1. 70% to 80% of all doctor visits are stress-related.
2. People who experience sustained, increased levels of stress are 4 to 5 times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke.
3. 50% of all illnesses are caused by stress.
4. Stress lowers our immune systems by reducing salivary immunoglobulin A, a crucial fighter against bacteria and viruses.

Now, let’s explore some interesting facts about laughter:

• Raises salivary immunoglobulin A.
• Keeps cortisol levels under control. Cortisol is a hormone produced as a result of stress. It increases blood sugar, suppresses your immune system, and promotes fat storage.
• Decreases pain.
• Prevents heart disease by helping to regulate the adrenal glands’ production of adrenaline.
• Children laugh, on average, 300 times per day; adults, on average, 50 times per day.
• Laughing 100 times is equivalent to 15 minutes on a stationary bike.
• Laughter abolishes feelings of despair, anger, and anxiety. You cannot feel these emotions when you are laughing.
• Laughter does wonders for energy levels.
• Laughter is infectious, which is why most sitcom television shows have canned laughter.
• Promotes bonding and strengthens relationships.
• Laughing releases endorphins, one of the hormones responsible for a feeling of happiness.
• Laughing can relax your body’s muscles for up to 45 minutes.

The benefits of laughing are clear and profound, so lighten up and look for humor in life; it’s all around you. Surround yourself with lighthearted people, laugh at yourself more often, and create more opportunities to laugh, like going to a comedy club, playing with pets, or just doing something silly with loved ones. Work at bringing laughter into your life, and I’m sure you will succeed and reap all the wonderful benefits.