Laughter is the best medicine – but just how true is this adage when it comes to our mental health?
Today is National Let’s Laugh Day, a yearly reminder to take a day off from the serious and somber, and embrace humor for our physical and mental well-being. Doing so can offer both short- and long-term benefits for our health! Let’s take a closer look at how this holistic approach can transform one’s overall wellness.
The Healing Power of Laughter
Laughter plays a crucial role in our well-being, making small but significant changes within our bodies while providing the building blocks for greater mental health. Some of these changes include temporary “fixes” like relieving stress for a quick mood boost to longer-term effects such as improving our immune system. Plus, studies have shown that laughter is, indeed, contagious, meaning we’re not only transforming our own bodies and minds, but those of our friends and family as well!
How Does Laughter Affect the Body?
From physiological effects to mental wellness improvement, laughter promotes many noteworthy and positive changes within the body – both physical and mental. Often, these changes go hand in hand:
- A Unique Workout – When you laugh, and laugh hard, you engage abdominal, arm, and facial muscles; strengthen your lungs; and even burn calories!
- Increased Oxygen Intake – The more we laugh, the more we breathe in. An increase in oxygen intake not only improves circulation but also enhances brain activity, cognitive processing, and memory.
- More “Feel-Good” Neurochemicals – Laughter triggers the release of important natural chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which in turn improves our mood and can even offer relief from physical pain.
- Lower Cortisol Levels – Laughing lowers levels of the “stress hormone” (AKA cortisol), which helps us feel more relaxed.
- Reduced Blood Pressure – The act of laughing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a crucial role in promoting and maintaining a state of relaxation.
- Greater Emotional Strength – Humor can be a powerful coping tool to develop resilience in the face of difficult situations. Laughter amongst friends also creates stronger bonds and makes us feel less alone.
More Than a Quick Fix
As you can see, laughter offers a wealth of benefits to the body and mind, both now and over time. From increasing oxygen intake and endorphins to lowering your stress response, aiding in muscle relaxation for pain relief to giving your immune system a much-needed boost, laughter’s very essence is designed to make you feel happier.
Sharing a Laugh – Together
Mindful Health Solutions can help you find your laugh again. Through customized interventional treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), SPRAVATO (esketamine), and Ketamine Infusion Therapy, we create treatment plans designed to provide a more balanced life free from depression or anxiety struggles.
So today, on National Let’s Laugh Day, let’s all take our medicine, promote our mental health, and enjoy a laugh with loved ones. For a little extra guidance on your path to emotional resilience, contact us at (888) 789-6013.