Is there such a thing as the healing magic of laughter, one might ask? The answer to that question will be revealed in this article as we delve into what laughter is, its connection to our mental health, and the benefits it offers.
Laughing is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things to do. It is not only beneficial to our well-being but has also been medically proven. It is also one of the easiest ways to love your brain.
There are numerous reasons why people laugh, and a lot of advantages follow suit. When you laugh, you relieve yourself of stress, discomfort, and pain.
Amidst that, we’ll delve into the effects of laughter on our mental health and general well-being. You might find yourself wondering, what’s the link between smiling and mental health? How does smiling affect mental health?
Exploring the link between laughter and mental health is akin to evaluating the connection between our emotions and mental well-being. Essentially, just as our emotions affect our mental health, so does laughter, as it elicits an emotional response.
According to research, laughter is beneficial for both the mind and body, strengthening the immune system, combating infections, reducing pain, and improving blood flow. It’s astonishing how something seemingly insignificant can have such profound effects.
Now, let’s uncover the benefits of laughter on our mental health.
The Benefits Of Laughter On The Brain
Life may sometimes fail to present us with reasons to be joyful, especially if you are living in a country like mine (Nigeria). Nevertheless, we owe our emotions to no one but ourselves. Whether you choose to be mad all your life or embrace happiness, the choice is yours.
Laughter is not only healthy but also contagious. You don’t necessarily have to initiate laughter; as long as someone around you is laughing, you will laugh too. Surrounding yourself with people who make you happy could, however, increase the likelihood of laughter. Here’s why:
1. Stress Management
One major benefit of laughter is that it reduces stress. Laughter helps to lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and tension in the body. It is a powerful tool for reducing stress. It triggers the release of endorphins; neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduces the perception of pain.
Most times, when we have a bad day we tend to relieve our stress by either watching our favourite videos online or sharing quality time with friends that make us happy.
Laughing also helps to relax our muscles. When we laugh, our body experiences a temporary decrease in muscle tension. This in turn helps to ameliorate the physical symptoms of stress such as tightness in the muscles, headaches and fatigue. Aside from this, it also helps improve breathing and allows individuals to take a mental break by acting as a distraction to thoughts of stress and pain. The more you laugh, the more you reduce stress, thereby improving your mental and physical health.
2. Mood Enhancement
We release endorphins when we laugh causing a positive change in our mood and improvement in our general well-being.
Laughter acts as a natural mood booster by promoting the release of feel-good chemicals, reducing stress and fostering social connection. It also provides a mental break from negative thoughts, thereby increasing our overall mental health.
When we watch our favourite videos or spend time with our friends, we tend to laugh, hence enhancing our mood.
3. Social Connection
Laughter is associated with interaction. It is a powerful tool for improving social connection in several ways. They include:
- Bonding: When you share a laugh with someone, you tend to build a bond with them and if interaction continues for a long period, it deepens the connection even more.
- Communication: Laughing usually occurs as a result of interaction. Research has proven that a person is 30 times more likely to laugh when they are around people laughing. It can break barriers and help to facilitate relationships by strengthening connections. Laughter promotes a sense of trust and safety. We mostly share laughs with people whom we trust and have a certain level of connection with.
Additionally, social interaction is a great way to improve our mental health.
4 Cognitive Function
Laughing often involves deep breathing, which increases oxygen intake and stimulates circulation.
This helps to enhance brain function, improving alertness, concentration and cognitive performance.
5. Resilience Building
Laughing regularly helps to increase resilience against stress and adversity, helping individuals cope better with life’s challenges and setbacks.
Resilience in times of adversity could also serve as ways to achieve our goals.
Conclusion
We shouldn’t trivialise laughter, but rather recognize it as a necessity, especially considering its profound effects on us. It is a healthy habit that we all must try to imbibe. If you are someone that’s not so keen on smiling or laughing a lot, you have to develop ways to make healthy habits stick.
Laughing isn’t just about having a good time—it’s about taking care of ourselves from the inside out. It’s about finding joy in the little things and giving ourselves that much-needed mental reset.
We all need it!
Learning to surround yourself with people who make you happy can significantly enhance your laughter quota.
While laughter may not solve all our problems, maintaining a positive attitude through tough situations can help us see clearly and make the right decisions.
“Laughing is, and will always be, the best form of therapy.” It truly pays to laugh.
Dau Voire
