7 Amazing Benefits of Laughter

A good laugh with friends makes us feel relaxed and happy. But did you know that laughter can actually improve your health?
They say "laughter is the best medicine" for good reason!

"Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine. " - George Gordon Byron

I am going to share with you 10 amazing benefits of laughter.

1. REDUCES STRESS HORMONE LEVELS - Recent research shows that laughter decreases the level of stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine.

It also releases the neurotransmitter Dopamine that creates a sense of euphoria and instils motivation.
From scientific studies, it has been proved that watching comedy movies decreases levels of stress hormones!

2. IMPROVES YOUR CARDIAC HEALTH - Laughter can actually improve the health of your heart.

It improves the functioning of blood vessels by increasing the blood flow. This improves your circulation of blood that can actually reduce the risk of heart disease!

3. BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM  - A good laugh can boost your immune system with disease resisting powers that will help you to stay healthy!

Stress reduces immunity and laughter reduces stress. Naturally, laughter reduces your chances of falling ill.

4. ACT AS A NATURAL ANTI-DEPRESSANT- As we laugh, certain feel-good chemicals called "endorphins" are released in our body. Endorphins act as a pain reliever and happiness booster.

 As a result, it instantly lifts our mood and creates a sense of happy feeling. Laughter reduces negative emotions and makes you feel better.

5. REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE - One of the dangerous side-effects of stress is high blood pressure or hypertension.

However, it's not possible to stay stressed when you are laughing! A few scientific studies show that laughter can actually lower blood pressure!

6. IT BURNS YOUR CALORIES -  Now laughter cannot replace workouts for sure! But a good, hearty laugh can burn some of your calories.

As laughter raises our heart rate and calorific expenditure, it has been scientifically studied that 15 minutes of laughter actually burned 10 - 40 calories.

7. INCREASES CONNECTION WITH OTHERS - "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge
It's only normal that people would approach you if you are smiling and cheerful.

Our emotions are reflected on our face and this is directly related to how others would perceive us. Emotions can change body language. So if you are always irritated or angry, that will get expressed in your body language and personality! To make more friends or get more dates, it's better than to have a smiling face.

ONE FINAL TIP: After reading this, if you feel that it's not possible for you to be this cheerful all the time. That you have stress and complicacies in life. Let me remind you that we all have some difficulties in life. It's always better to focus on what's good and what's working in life rather than what's bad and what's beyond our control. Shift your mindset to a positive one! If you are still having difficulty just fake it till you make it! Try and see. It's that easy!

~Article written by Ishita Ganguly, M.Sc, B.Ed, MBA

Also, Read How to be Happy | 12 Simple steps to happiness