The Power of Laughter: Understanding How Humor Benefits Your Mind and Body

Laughter Day: Whether you're watching a funny video, sharing a joke, gagging on your favorite sitcom or laughing at a cartoon – laughter works wonders in all areas of life and has many physical and emotional benefits. Martin Seligman, a positive psychologist, worked on happiness and found that practicing gratitude, engaging in creative endeavors, building social connections, and cultivating positive emotions through other means can bring a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
 
Benefits of a good laugh on the human body and mind:
 
During a good laugh, our body performs a series of activities that result in its well-being in that moment. "Cultivating positive emotions can reduce stress, improve mental health and make one more empathetic and compassionate towards others," said Aparupa Ojha who is a clinical psychologist at Monoshij.
 
It is also known that our emotional states are also related to our physical well-being.
 
Elaborating on this, Aparupa said, "Several studies in the field of psychoneuroimmunology suggest that positive emotions such as joy can be associated with enhanced immunity. Similarly, people suffering from chronic stress, clinical depression and other mental health concerns have weakened immune systems. can, making them more susceptible to physical illness."
 
Physical Benefits:
 
Talking about the physical benefits of a good laugh, Kesha P. Bhavsar, who is a psychologist at Empower Helpline, Mumbai, said, "Initially, laughter releases endorphins which are also known as the body's natural feel-good chemicals. This not only helps. Promotes an overall sense of well-being but also ensures temporary relief from pain. Giving." "Regular laughter has the ability to regulate other bodily functions and reduce heart risks. Laughter can potentially stimulate the respiratory system, improve lung function, and increase oxygenation. This increase in oxygenation results in better immune system function and fighting. Acts as an agent. Avoid infections and diseases," she added.
 
Psychological Benefits:
Laughter has a powerful effect on mental and emotional well-being. It not only lightens the mood, but is very helpful in increasing your resilience in challenging and traumatic situations. "Our mind, immune system and hormone system are intimately connected to our mood, and laughter can serve as an immediate positive effect," said Kesha.

5 ways to boost your mental and physical health with a dose of laughter
Laughter is truly the best medicine. It boosts mood, boosts immunity and strengthens relationships. Although simple, incorporating more laughter into your daily routine can significantly improve both mental and physical well-being.

Here are 5 tips to unlock the power of laughter and make you happier, healthier, as suggested by Mansi Poddar, a trauma-informed psychotherapist.

• Integrate laughter into your daily routine: Adding laughter to your daily routine can be a powerful way to combat stress and boost your mood. Consider incorporating funny content into your life, whether it's by watching comedy shows, reading funny books, or following social media accounts that share uplifting and entertaining content.
• Cultivate supportive social circles: Surrounding yourself with friends and family who bring joy and humor to your life can be a major mood booster. Laughter is contagious, so consider joining a laughter group or club where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your appreciation for a good laugh. This is a fun and effective way to double the stress-busting benefits of laughter.
• Explore laughter therapy: Consider exploring structured techniques like laughter yoga or laughter meditation. These practices include guided exercises and activities that help you experience the physical and emotional benefits of laughter in a supportive environment. Laughter yoga often involves playful movement and breathing exercises, while laughter meditation focuses on cultivating a sense of joy and amusement within.
• Develop a positive outlook: Try to reframe challenging situations with optimism and find humor in everyday life. Use laughter as a coping mechanism during really tough times.
• Engage in playful activities: Find genuine laughter-inducing activities, such as playing games, engaging in creative pursuits like painting or music, or spending time with their pets, is a great way to go about things. Prioritizing activities that bring you pure joy and allow you to express yourself freely is like giving your mood a natural boost.