There is no doubt about it, laughter is the best medicine. I often find myself laughing out loud at t
he silliest of things and go out of my way to smile and laugh if I can. My favourite ‘top tip’ is to visit a really good card shop and stand for half an hour reading all the funny cards. I remember, about a year ago, I was really struggling, and I found myself waiting for a train at Waterloo station. I had about an hour to spare before catching the train to Dorset so I walked into a card shop. The next thing I know, I was literally crying with laughter as I read one card after another and couldn’t stop. Here are some of my favourite ones;
Don’t grow up it’s a trap!
Hand me the Cocktails! Because no good story starts with ‘that one time I ate salad’.
I have one glass of Prosecco, for health benefits (the rest are for witty remarks and amazing dance moves)!
Remember on your birthday – you can never have too many shoes, just too few feet to put in them!
I’m so sick and tired of my friends who can’t handle their alcohol – the other night they dropped me 3 times while carrying me out of the pub.
Once upon a time, a man asked a girl to marry him, the girl said “No”! And she lived happily ever after, and went shopping, dancing and drinking. She always had a clean house, never cooked and looked fabulous all the time. The End.
Of course size matters, nobody wants a small glass of prosecco.
Over and above the fact that we know how good laughter makes us feel, here’s some science to knock you off your feet;
- Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
- Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
- Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
- Laughter burns calories. OK, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories, which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year. ~ I love this one!
- Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.
- Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humour outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.
The Physical Health Benefits of laughter are;
- Boosts immunity
- Lowers stress hormones
- Decreases pain
- Relaxes your muscles
- Prevents heart disease
The Mental Health Benefits of laughter are;
- Adds joy and zest to life
- Eases anxiety and tension
- Relieves stress
- Improves mood
- Strengthens resilience
The Social Benefits of laughter are;
- Strengthens relationships
- Attracts others to us
- Enhances teamwork
- Helps defuse conflict
- Promotes group bonding