The Laughter Prescription: Harnessing the Positive Impact of Humor on Your Mind and Body

 

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          Notable comic actor Charlie Chaplin once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Laughter is considered to be a universal language that transcends culture and bridges individuals globally with its contagious power and its ability to uplift spirits. This remarkable human feature, serving as a social function, has stunned science for decades. Beyond its societal and cultural significance, laughter acts as a catalyst for enhancing one’s mood and reducing stress. 


          One of the most widely known effects of laughter is its ability to reduce stress and thus limit any distressing emotions. Through the release of endorphins, these natural chemicals promote a sense of calm and well-being within the body. Furthermore, our body’s cortisol (more colloquially known as the stress hormone) levels also decrease, indicating an increase in our stress resilience. The increase of these feel-good chemicals and the inhibition of stress promote an overall sense of well-being and yield short-term and long-term benefits for mental health. This is best expressed by the example of Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute. Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams, a physician and clown, founded the Gesundheit Institute, a healthcare organization that incorporates humor and laughter into patient care. In this unconventional approach to healthcare, Dr. Adams and his team have documented numerous cases where laughter therapy significantly improved the mental health of patients, particularly those dealing with chronic illnesses or undergoing challenging treatments. The institute’s approach of using laughter as a therapeutic tool has resulted in overall reductions anxiety and other mental ailments among patients. Additionally, laughter can shift your perspective on a challenging situation and make it seem more manageable by enhancing creativity and innovation by urging people to think outside the box. Thus humor helps us in discovering the light at the end of the tunnel by finding joy even in difficult times. Not only does it boost camaraderie within society, it is an effective means of improving one's mental health. 


          Just as health is multifaceted, so are the effects of laughter. Laughter not only impacts our mental wellbeing, it also has some notable effects on our physical health. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter has the ability to stimulate many organs through the intake of oxygen-rich air, benefiting vital organs such as the heart. When we laugh, our blood vessels contract and expand, improving the circulation of blood within our body. This thus reduces the risk of a plethora of cardiovascular diseases. Regular laughter can have a positive impact on the immune system and serves as a method of pain relief. 


          All of these psychological and physical benefits of laughter can also positively influence one’s sleep cycle as laughter provides physical and mental relief. In order to positively impact your health and sleep schedule, it is important to incorporate laughter and humor in your laugh through methods such as watching comedic content, spending time with friends and family, and surrounding yourself with a positive environment. 


          The physical and mental implications of laughter aid our mental and physical well-being, proving that laughter is truly the best medicine. In a world filled with stress and challenges, the ability to laugh and find joy in the most basic occurrences is one that must be incorporated in our daily routines. So don’t forget to laugh-after all, it’s not just a joyful expression, but a healthy one too! 




REFERENCES 

  • “The Gesundheit Insititute.” Gesundheit! Institute, www.patchadams.org/patch-adams/. Accessed 04 Oct. 2023.

  • Robinson, Lawrence, et al. “Laughter Is the Best Medicine.” HelpGuide.Org, www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm. 

  • “Why Laughter Is Good for Mental Health.” Newport Academy, 10 Nov. 2022, www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/laughter-good-for-you/. 

  • “Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Sept. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456.

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