Several studies and researches have tried to find out the influence that laughter has on our mental and physical health . In fact, we are all aware that laughing is something healthy and that it puts certain muscles to work that we rarely use in our daily lives. In addition, laughter also generates in our bodies certain hormones that provide us with happiness and good humor.

Laughing is a historically recognized medicine

The ability of laughter to improve our mood is not something we humans have recently discovered. The benefits of laughter have been known for centuries, proof of which are the writings of Plato or Socrates, who already conceived human laughter as a source of pleasure .

Sigmund Freud himself, more recently, stated that laughter is an essential key to releasing tensions and negative energies . In many cultures, laughter has been an important element in achieving harmony between body and spirit, as for example in Hindu philosophy.

From psychology, laughter has also been seen as a resource to promote the psychological well-being and health of individuals. Its best known form is Laughter Therapy , a therapy based on good humour and the positive effects on our mind that has the healthy habit of laughing.

What exactly are the benefits of laughter?

Laughing is important in our lives. It is a healthy way to keep our body and mind in good shape.

Physical benefits of laughter

  • Activates muscles we don’t usually use . When we laugh out loud our body is activated and more than 400 muscles move. It is this muscle contraction and relaxation that makes laughter itself possible. Laughing causes a level of physical activity similar to that of running . Have you noticed that when you laugh for a long time your abs become painful?
  • Strengthens our immune system . Laughter makes our body generate more Immune Globulin A and T-lymphocytes, antibodies that are responsible for fighting viruses and bacteria. This makes our defences stronger and therefore our health more resistant.
  • Burns body fat . When we laugh, our abdomen and diaphragm contract, making the digestive process easier, eliminating fat and toxins from our body and improving intestinal regulation.
  • Our body receives more oxygen . Between laughs, we receive more than twice as much oxygen as we breathe in a resting situation. The effort our muscles make requires higher levels of oxygen in the blood. If you know someone who has attacks of laughter, you will have noticed that there may come a time when they feel somewhat suffocated. This may be because their muscles are working too hard, or they have inhaled too much oxygen, producing the same choking symptom.

Psychological benefits of laughter

  • We release endorphins . When we laugh, we release a hormone called endorphin , which is very associated with the feeling of happiness. The greater the intensity of laughter, the more endorphin is secreted by our nervous system, and with it, the more we feel pleasure and well-being. Furthermore, laughter also makes us secrete dopamine and serotonin , substances that combat some mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
  • A powerful anti-stress . In addition to the hormones and their beneficial effect on our mood, laughter also has the ability to activate many muscles that, once we have stopped laughing, relax again. This increases a state of physical and also psychological relaxation. A good way to combat negative thoughts and emotional distress.
  • Improves the functioning of our brain or . Another hormone (neurotransmitter) that we secrete when we laugh is catecholamine , which is involved in the correct functioning of our brain. This neurotransmitter also has the capacity to improve our memory, academic performance and mental agility.
  • It makes us more sociable . When we share good moments with friends or colleagues and laugh in this social context, we are sharing unique and positive experiences, which improves our socialization. Laughing together can improve our interpersonal relationships.
  • Increases self-esteem . Laughing allows us to put aside our sense of ridicule and take life with a good sense of humour and more relaxation, which can lead to an improvement in our self-esteem.
  • Encourages our optimism . Laughter gives us a positive mood. When we are in a good mood, it is common for us to generate more positive thoughts. Laughter can help us to relativise our difficulties and start to create a good state of mind that leads us towards optimism.

Several conclusions about laughter

It is clear that laughter is one of the best natural therapies that exist . For all these reasons, philosophy and science are increasing year after year our knowledge about good humour and its capacity to positively influence our health and our state of mind.

So, let’s leave out for a few moments the worries of everyday life and learn to enjoy everything that is capable of making us laugh.