Laughter is the best medicine

Today will be a little bit about the best medicine, natural and totally free - a laughter.  I feel like it's often underestimated and even though we know laughing is good for us, we don't really take it seriously... 

So what is a laughter? Wikipedia describes it as "a physical reaction in humans consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. It is a response to certain external or internal stimuli. Laughter can arise from such activities as being tickled, or from humorous stories or thoughts'.

On average, humans have this laughter reaction around 17 times a day, and as far as we know, we're one of the only species on the planet that laughs. Some primates do show signs of laughter when they're tickled, but scientists aren't quite sure if this is the same as human laughter.

The best part about all of this is that laughter is actually good for you. Researchers at the University of Maryland in the US have linked laughter to the healthy function of blood vessels - something that can lower your chance of a heart attack. And laughter also boosts heart rate and the production of certain antibodies, which strengthens our immune system. Laughter lower your blood pressure, reduces stress hormone levels, works your abs (I know it's great - when you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs), trigger the release of endorphins and produces general sense of well-being.

Some studies have reported that laughing for at least fifteen minutes can add around 2 days to your overall lifespan. Live long and…laugh!  Not a coffee drinker? That’s okay! Laughing shortly after you wake up can have similar effects to drinking a cup of coffee. Next time you laugh right after getting up, notice how refreshing it feels.

We laugh due to a joke or an intentional action. More often, we laugh at chance happenings or things that were never intended to be funny in the first place.

Laughing can create an instant bond between individuals. When you laugh as a group or with someone else, we feel a natural connection to those people and it can alleviate some of the social stress that being around new people might create.

Laughter really is contagious. Ever wonder why television shows often play a 'laugh track' after a funny moment? Even we don't see where the source of laughter is, simply hearing laughter can be contagious.

So keep laughing, Laughter is an instant holiday. 

'I have not seen anyone dying of laughter, but I know millions who are dying because they are not laughing'                        Dr. Madan Kataria

Have a good laugh :)

Iwona 


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