A belly laugh always feels good—and there is a good reason why. Laughter helps us relax. It can help us connect to others too. But even if your bad jokes scare others away, you can still laugh. First, let us get serious about the benefits of humor.
The Benefits of Laughter
Do you need to lift your mood? Then laugh! It is a powerful way to cope with life's pains—small and big. It is fun, free, and has health benefits.
These health benefits are nothing to giggle about either. Laughter may help:
- Strengthen the immune system—which helps fight illness
- Lower stress hormones
- Decrease pain
- Relax muscles
- Prevent heart disease
- Ease fear and anxiety
Laugh It Off
Are you ready to start laughing now? Good! Here are some ways to get started:
- Pick up a joke book or collection of funny essays.
- Watch a funny movie or TV show.
- Share a good joke or funny story.
- Make time for fun activities with others—such as playing miniature golf.
- Go to a comedy club.
- Put together some quotes or photos that make you smile. Post them where you can see them.
- Keep a funny audio book in the car. Listen to it while you are stuck in traffic.
- Surf the internet for funny videos or stories.
So, the next time you feel ill, add some laughter to your treatment plan. It may help ease your pain too. Better yet—do not even wait until you are ill or in pain. Find something to laugh at each day—even if it is yourself!
RESOURCES
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor http://www.aath.org
Mental Health America https://www.mhanational.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Mental Health Association http://www.cmha.ca
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Create joy and satisfaction. Mental Health America website. Available at: https://www.mhanational.org/create-joy-and-satisfaction. Accessed June 30, 2021.
Laughter is the best medicine. HelpGuide.org website. Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm. Accessed June 30, 2021.
The healing benefits of humor and laughter. Whole Health Library—U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website. Available at: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/healing-benefits-humor-laughter.asp. Accessed June 30, 2021.