Benefits of Laughter
Laughter, is the physiological response to humor. When you laugh, the brain sends a signal for your body to conduct a set of gestures and produce a sound simultaneously. When you laugh, changes occur in many parts of the body, even in your arms, legs and torso. Meanwhile, in your respiratory system, the epiglottis half-closes the larynx, making air intake occur irregularly, causing gasping. In extreme circumstances, your tear ducts are activated.
Research has shown that laughing is more than just a person's voice and movement. Laughter requires the coordination of many muscles throughout the body. Laughter is beneficial as it increases blood pressure and heart rate, changes breathing, changes levels of certain neurochemicals, neurotransmitters and hormones. Laughter is a complex response that involves many of the same skills used in solving problems.
Researcher Robert Provine suggests that humans have a "detector" that responds to laughter by triggering other neural circuits in the brain, which, in turn, makes more laughter. This explains why laughter is often contagious. Philosopher John Morreall says that laughter may have first been exhibited when there was a shared sense of relief, the relaxation brought from laughter gets in the way of a flight-or-fight response. Robert Provine led a study that concluded that most laughter wasn’t in response to jokes or stories; a lot of laughter stems from a social interaction and builds bonds in a group.
As you can see, benefits of laughter range from emotional, social, and physical:
Laughter...
Stimulates your organs: Your lungs, heart, and muscles are stimulated when you laugh, because you’re taking in more oxygen-rich air.
Relaxes your muscles: Laughing can relieve physical tension in the body and relax your muscles. It’s common for your body to feel tense when you’re stressed; relaxed muscles will help you to de-stress.
Improves cardiac health: Improved vascular function and a decreased risk of heart attacks can be due to laughter. Laughing increases your heart rate and oxygen intake which directly relates to cardiac health.
Boosts your immune system: Laughter encourages a positive mindset which can release infection-fighting antibodies and neuropeptides that reduce stress. These two things increase your immunity to sickness.
Lowers blood pressure: Blood pressure rises when you’re stressed. The endorphins released when you laugh help to counteract the negative emotions of stress which in turn lowers your blood pressure.
Reduces stress hormones: Laughter increases your oxygen intake and stimulates circulation throughout your body which can decrease cortisol levels. Cortisol is a primary stress hormone, when laughter lowers this hormone, you are less stressed.
Increases endorphins: Laughter directly increases the endorphins in your body. Endorphins are a chemical that boost the happiness levels in your brain; this promotes an overall positive mood increase.
Strengthens relationships: A shared laugh with friends, family or a coworker can help you feel more connected to that person and form a strong and lasting relationship.