Laughter as Medicine

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”

As silly as it may seem, laughter has been proven to have many health benefits.

Laughter can relax your body, boost your immune system and release stress.. just to name a few.

The Healing Benefits of Laughter:

  • Stimulates hormones and organs. Laughter increases the release of endorphins, increases your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles.
  • Complete Stress Cycles. Deep belly laughs can shift you from sympathetic to parasynthetic nervous system, allowing your body to relax.
  • Release tension. Laughter can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can reduce the physical symptoms of stress.
  • Improve your immune system. Positivity can release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially even more-serious illnesses.
  • Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural pleasure.
  • Increase happiness and personal relationships. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
  • Improve your mood. If you are cranky and get yourself laughing, I promise your mood will eventually change.

 

Laughter as an Emotional Release Tool

A good laugh can not only change your mood, but it can be an emotional release just as much as a good cry!

If you have kiddos, try this next time you can tell they have some pent up emotions, and are on the brink of a melt down or needing an emotional release:

Begin playing with them and being silly. You can make them laugh with your own silly laughs or tickles/wrestling depending on what they enjoy. Get them laughing, and if they need the physical stimulation, provide that as well! Get some deep belly laughs coming with the tickles and help them release all of that emotion!

It is possible that they will have the full release they need by the laughs alone, when normally a full tantrum or cry session would ensue.

Laughter is really quite profound if you really think about it!

Sometimes, we just need to approach things differently and start with a laugh, instead of waiting for something to make you laugh.. May just be the medicine you need!

 

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Dr. Alicia Newsome

Hi, I am Dr. Alicia Newsome

As a doctor, trainer, keynote speaker & executive health coach, I help high-achievers reclaim their lives by helping them understand and work with their bodies’ hormones, digestion, and metabolism.
Copyright 2024 Dr. Alicia Newsome