Laugh your way to better health

"Laughter is medicine for the soul."

- Thomas Carlyle

Yesterday, while writing a post about different temperaments, I learned from a short test that I am a Sanguinarian. Sanguinarians are people characterized by extroverted behavior and a cheerful disposition. I remember that when I was a child, my goal was to make others happy in my company. I liked to make others laugh, and I think that goal is still high on my list of goals. So, in this post, I would like to take a look at why it is said that laughter is good for you by looking at various studies on the subject.

Laughter is an uncontrolled expression of emotion that can be triggered by situations that are considered humorous. It helps release endorphins, which improve overall well-being and act as natural painkillers. People who laugh more often have more hope, optimism, energy and vitality. In addition, people who laugh more often have better relationships and happier marriages. As a sanguinarian, I value a healthy and happy mood in the company of others. Therefore, as strange as it may sound, laughter is very important to me.

It is worth noting that laughter is not only a matter of genes or temperament, but also a learned skill. So it's worth trying to see the humor in everyday situations and try to approach life with detachment and optimism. "Laughter is a social skill that we learn from childhood. Just as we learn language and social skills, we can learn laughter and the culture of laughter. - Dr. Aneta Piekarska, social psychologist at the Jagiellonian University. Now I would like to present 3 studies on laughter:

1. Research confirms the positive effects of laughter on health and well-being. A study conducted at the University of California found that laughter can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, which benefits heart health and overall well-being. In addition, according to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who laugh more and feel more positive are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

2. Research by American psychologist Paul McGheea has shown that humor and laughter can help reduce pain and improve pain tolerance. In contrast, a study by psychologist Robert R. Provine found that most people laugh because of ordinary everyday situations, such as talking to friends or watching television, rather than because of specific jokes or pranks.

3. In an Osaka study, Japanese doctors tested the power of laughter therapy to see if it could benefit diabetics. Seventeen volunteers over the age of 60 who regularly attended a day care center for the elderly were recruited. Professional stand-up comedians performed at the center once a week for 30 minutes, and each performance was different. Saliva samples were taken from the participants before and after the study, and it turned out that laughter therapy significantly lowered their blood sugar levels. Thus, the study confirmed the direct effect of laughter on our health.

In conclusion, it is worth doing everything we can to laugh as much as possible. We can watch funny movies, hang out with friends, read jokes that make us laugh, and even seek specialized laughter therapy if we feel comfortable with it. Laughter is one of the most natural and effective ways to deal with stress and tension, helping us to relax, take our minds off our problems, and distance ourselves from our daily difficulties. Experiencing positive emotions and joy on a daily basis can bring many benefits, so make it a goal to find time to laugh every day.