Laughter is the Best Medicine

laughter is the best medicine

Laughter is the best medicine. It keeps away negative emotions like anxiety and depression, which tend to weaken the immune system. It relieves stress, a common cause of heart and blood pressure problems. It improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood and thus lessens complaints of asthma and bronchitis. It also releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, thus reducing the occurrence and intensity of arthritic pain and muscular spasms. It is helps alleviate insomnia, migraines, allergies, and ulcers.

Laughter is initiated by many sensations and thoughts, and that it activates many parts of the body. Laughter involves motor, emotional and cognitive components, each one located in a specific part of the brain. When we laugh, we change our facial expressions and make sounds. During high-spirited laughter, the muscles of the arms, legs and trunk are involved. Laughter also needs variation in our pattern of breathing. It activates the cardiovascular system, so heart rate and blood pressure increase. The arteries are dilated, causing blood pressure to fall again. Repeated short, strong contractions of the chest muscles, diaphragm and abdomen increase blood flow into our internal organs, and forced respiration.

Right diet, water intake, exercise, temperance and other elements are important for us to stay healthy. Let us not forget the importance of laughter to our physical and mental health. Good laugh protects us from harmful effects of stress in our daily lives. Why not spend some of your time exchanging healthy humors with your family and friends or watch comedy shows and movies that may trigger laughter. Did you know that one minute of laughing is equivalent to ten minutes on a rowing machine?

Effects of good laugh led to new and valuable therapies practiced by doctors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals using humor and laughter to help patients manage, or treat a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual issues. Indeed, laughter is the best medicine.