Laughter has a way of instantly connecting and improving people’s moods. It is one of the most basic ways in which people communicate. But more than that, laughter can increase confidence, self-esteem, creativity, positivity and bring positive changes.
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Anxiety can creep in and cause depression, which dulls all the light in your life, making it difficult to get out of bed. But with humour, all things can get better. Someone might crack a joke, and in a split second, you burst out laughing, forgetting about your problem for a minute or two.
Laughter has been scientifically proven to benefit mental health, being the primary advantage for stress reduction, strengthening social connections, and releasing the body’s feel-good chemicals. Gulf News reports that “studies have shown that laughter strengthens the immune system. Most likely, this is because laughter, like other forms of happiness, triggers the nervous system’s relaxation response. Moreover, a good laugh relieves physical tension, subsequently leaving the muscles relaxed for as long as 45 minutes”.
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So why is laughter a mental health game-changer
What happens in our bodies when we experience laughter? As reported by IOL, the body gets affected in positive ways, and these positive changes have a profound impact on mental health. Laughter does the following:
- Reduces stress: When people laugh and smile, cortisol levels decrease. Lower levels of cortisol are better for our mental health.
- Laughter releases endorphins: The body’s natural chemicals, particularly endorphins, enhance well-being and aid in stress relief.
- Eases distressing emotions: Laughter counteracts feelings of anxiety and sadness, helping us release intense emotions.
- Adaptive defence mechanism: Laughing contributes to a healthy defence mechanism. Good laughter has a way of diffusing intense emotions, helping you create a space for healing.
- Brings more joy and fun: Who can deny it? Laughing brings joy and fun into our lives.
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