Which famous cat never got his feet wet? Puss in Boots! Laughter and a sense of humor may well be the best medicine for your heart, as well as help you cope with stress and even tolerate pain better. Recent studies have shown that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in certain situations compared to their peers who did not have heart disease.
Responding humorously to everyday life situations through laughter can help relieve mental stress that is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier that lines the blood vessels. An inflamed endothelium could lead to a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the coronary arteries and eventually cause a heart attack. Laughing also burns 50 calories in 10 to 15 minutes. But don’t give up your gym membership just yet. It would take 12 hours of concentrated laughing to lose one pound.
Laughing because you find humor in something has additional benefits as well. Hard laughter can raise the heart and respiratory rates while increasing oxygen consumption, which is similar to the body’s reaction during an aerobic work-out. It also exercises the diaphragm, contracts abdominal muscles and even works out the shoulders. A good belly laugh can reduce levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, while increasing levels of endorphins and neurotransmitters5. Relaxation after laughter can last up to 45 minutes.
So how can you start feeling the benefits of humor? Get more laughter in your life by incorporating humor into routine activities. Here are a few easy ways to tickle your funny bone.
- Watch funny movies or television shows, whether that be slapstick or more intellectual humor.
- Avoid conversation or news that is upsetting. When commuting, listen to a funny audiotape to relieve stress instead.
- Increase your exposure to humor by reading the comics in the newspaper and collecting funny mugs or calendars. Post cartoons that make you laugh. Send humorous greeting cards to spread the good cheer.
- Laughter is contagious, so share some laughs with others by watching a funny movie with family or friends.
- Look for humor in everyday activities. Watch babies and young children find delight in ordinary things.
- Remember to look back on things and laugh. Remembering a funny moment can help relieve tension.
- Don’t forget to laugh at yourself. So you went to a birthday party and forgot to bring the present. At least you enjoyed the cake.
- Go to the zoo and watch the animals. Monkeys can be especially entertaining.
- Spend time with people who see the lighter side and try to avoid those who are negative.
No one is perfect, so when you have a day when it seems that nothing is going your way – laugh. It can help make you feel better, relieve stress, and could add years to your life. Why did the dog keep chasing his tail? He wanted to see if he could make ends meet!