Wellness

WHY LAUGHTER MAKES LIFE MORE BEAUTIFUL

Adorable baby laughing and being held in the air.

Image: by Clemens v. Vogelsang. “Screaming of joy.”

Laughter makes life more beautiful. Here are 10 good reasons why.

Image: by Pernilla Rydmark. “She makes me laugh.”

Which comes first, the happy chicken or the funny egg? According to Mayo Clinic, laughter decreases the production of stress hormones which directly reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. The more you laugh, the happier you will be. The happier you are, the more you will laugh. So start laughing!

Image: by sanpani. “Laughter.” Conservatory Garden in Central Park, NY.

Stress hormones can damage the hippocampus, the part of the brain that creates new memories. Because laughter helps decrease cortisol and other stress hormones it aids in memory function!

Girl laughing under blooming magnolia tree.

Image: by lance adkins. “Laughing.”

Laughter makes you breathe more deeply and increases vascular blood flow.

Surreal image of man at edge of river with dreamlike images floating around him.

Image: by Jef Safi. “A tribute to Yanomano.”

Stress can weaken your immune system, making you vulnerable to disease. Because laughter reduces stress hormones, your immune system can fight off incoming “missiles.” A recent study published in Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease, laughter boosts T-cells, which can diminish tumors.

Beautiful child laughing on mother’s back.

Image: by marielinden4. “Baby Fraini.” Tanzania. Africa.

Laughter may be the best pain medicine! It helps your body to produce endorphins, which are natural painkillers. And, laughter increases your pain threshold so you can tolerate hurts better, according to a study published in Scientific American.

Image: by Michael Taggart Photography. “Pendant - stone.”

When you laugh, you exercise your abs! Think about it! Then have a good belly laugh. But you’ll be happy to know that when you laugh, your diaphragm, face, legs, back, and respiratory muscles are flexing too! Check out Laughter Yoga!

Image: by chiaralily. “Paint Splatters.”

According to William Fry, M.D., of Stanford University, laughter is the result of connecting two seemingly disconnected things. And that’s what creativity is all about.

Image: by Cultivate Oxford. “Laughing.”

Laughter helps you to be more alert. According to a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores.

Young woman laughing with hair blowing in wind.

Image: by Evan Forester. “Laughter in the Wind.”

When you laugh, 15 facial muscles activate. Blood supply rushes to your cheeks. Your eyes sparkle. And you glow!

Image: by Scott Wallace. “Students laugh as they leave school.” Courtesy of World Bank Photo Collection.

Laughter is contagious! The more you laugh, the more people around you laugh. They more they laugh, the more health and happiness spreads -- exponentially.

Two little kids sharing a big beautiful laugh.

Image: by Sandy Marks. “Best buddies.”

What makes you laugh? Share a joke, a funny photo, and/or a funny story with us on the BN Share Page!

Image: by nic dayton. “Clown!”

Read more about Laughter. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Adorable seal laughing and rolling over.

Image: by trasroid. “Loud laughter.”

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Image: by Scott Taylor. “Laughing Iguana.”