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I’m sure several of you, like me, have heard that laughter is the best medicine. While it seems like a corny saying mainly heard in sentimental sitcoms – I’m looking at you, Full House; cut it out –, there have been studies conducted to prove the theory. Below is research claiming laughter improves a person’s mood, immune system, social skills, and more. Read on and be the guy who’s got jokes and is always good for a laugh!
On April 22, 2014, Yagana Shah wrote a piece on laughter in The Huffington Post. Shah states researchers at California’s Loma Linda University studied twenty adults, ages sixty to seventy, measuring stress levels and short term memory in two separate groups: one watching funny videos and the other doing nothing, both for twenty minutes. Once the time had passed, saliva samples were taken, and memory tests were administered, it was found that the humor group performed better with memory recall than did the boring group (43.6% v. 20.3%) and that the former showed lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in their blood streams. Vanderbilt University and the University of Maryland are also cited by Shah as analyzing the health benefits of laughter, VU conducting a study proving ten to fifteen minutes of laughter a day burns forty calories and UM concluding that a sense of humor can ward off heart disease.
In June 2014, National Geographic’s Susan Brink posted an article titled Is Laughter the Best Medicine? This piece, however, finds “thin science” to back up the age-old motto. According to Brink, “[m]ost [studies] rely on self-reported assessments [from the participants].” Moreover, Brink’s sources suggest that being around inappropriate or mean-spirited laughter actually increases one’s stress. That being said, Michael Miller – director of The Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University Medical Center in Baltimore, MD – conducted a study with twenty volunteers, two groups either given a sad or funny movie. The result was a 22% increase in blood flow for the funny group, while blood flow was actually restricted for those watching sad movies. Still, Miller states that you have to laugh out loud: a good belly laugh releases endorphins from the brain, sending nitric oxide into the blood vessels, ultimately widening those vessels while increasing blood flow, lessening inflammation, clumping, and cholesterol.
In September 2011, Phallab Ghosh’s BBC News article claimed that the chemicals released when laughing work as a natural painkiller. In a similar fashion to other researchers, the scientists proved that – by studying groups exposed to comedy v. boring shows – belly laughers were able to withstand 10% more pain than before the test, while those watching boring shows were less able than before to withstand pain. The analysts again stressed that only belly laughs were successful – those that empty the lungs and pain the stomach release the endorphins.
The Telegraph’s 2013 piece Now There’s Proof: Laughter Really is the Best Medicine touches on the same reasons for and evidence of the benefits of belly laughs. Author Sarah Rainey received testimonials from those involved in what is called the “Laughter Line,” a telephone exercise conducted by the UK Laughter Network, where several participants of varying age groups claim that laughing with one another over the phone once a week has helped them to de-stress, increase energy levels, and even avoid relapses from potentially debilitating diseases. This class, and other light-hearted activities such as Laughter Yoga, has proven to be a unique and successful form of exercise; UK’s Laughter Network is now celebrating thirteen years treating well over 8,000 people. Still, Lotte Mikkelson (founder of Laughter Line) wants to remind people that these activities are used as a method of coping, not a cure.
Overall, there is some truth in laughter being the best medicine; with the Mayo Clinic and Help Guide’s most recent articles on the subject (2016 and 2017), both discuss how laughter affects those sociologically. Not only does a chortle soothe tension and increase personal satisfaction, it also gives individuals the ability to deal with difficult situations, diffuse conflict, enhance teamwork, and connect with others, ideally becoming more focused and accomplished while releasing inhibitions.
So, how can you help yourself laugh a little more? It may be easier than you think. First, to develop a sense of humor researchers suggest remaining light-hearted and positive, avoiding negative thinking and learning to laugh at yourself. Laugh every day – acting like a child at times – and deal with stress head-on in an effective way. Second, surround yourself with playful people, cute animals (my personal go-to), and fun activities. But, as the Mayo Clinic urges, “[d]on’t laugh at the expense of others. Some forms of humor aren’t appropriate.” Lastly, partaking in a class such as Laughter Yoga or the Laughter Line may be just the prescription you need to turn that frown upside-down. Try it, pass it along, and let the good times R.O.F.L.!
References
The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/laughter-and-memory_n_5192086.html
National Geographic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140606-laughter-jokes-medicine-health-science-laughing-yoga/
BBC News: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-14889165
The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/alternative-medicine/10149577/Now-theres-proof-laughter-really-is-the-best-medicine.html
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456?pg=2
Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
Laughter Yoga Homepage: http://laughteryoga.org/about-laughter-yoga/
UK Laughter Network: http://www.laughternetwork.co.uk/index.html
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