in: Wellness

4 Scientific Reasons to Laugh More

As if the euphoric high we get after a gut-busting laugh session wasn’t enough, science gives us four additional reasons to laugh more. 


Everyone enjoys a good laugh. But, did you know that it is actually good for you? A little laughter on a regular basis can go a long way towards improving your life.

Here are four scientifically backed reasons to lighten up and squeeze out a few giggles more often.      

1. Boost Emotional Health

Laughter releases the feel-good hormones dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These little guys work to improve your moods, enhance your experiences, and even reduce stress and pain. Nothing salvages a bad day like the feeling of hearty laughter. Even better, it’s contagious—so your laughter can help brighten up your friends’ days as well as your own!         

2. Appear More Attractive

Catching someone’s eye may be as simple as offering their jokes a light chuckle. That’s right, laughing can actually make you more attractive to others. According to research, women tend to prefer a man with a sense of humor, while men prefer women who laugh at their wit. Laughter is also important in general social situations, as it promotes person-to-person bonding. Undeniably, a wild smile is the most becoming accessory for any face.

3. Reduce Stress

Laughter truly is the best medicine. If you can view your problems through the colorful lens of humor, you’ll be a much happier person. The simple act of chortling is responsible for lowering stress hormones and soothing tension throughout the body. Since chronic stress can be detrimental to your health, laughing also hugely benefits your immune system. It’s a preventative medicine for almost every ailment!  

4. Improve Respiratory Health

Laughing flushes your lungs with fresh air, increases heart rate, and helps you to breathe more deeply. It helps to stretch the lungs and reinvigorate your entire body. Laughter is a welcome splash of cool, rejuvenating water for your respiratory system.    

Laughter is thought to be older than language. Even animals do it. It is one of the most natural and beneficial things you can do for your body and mind. So go ahead, hang out with old friends, watch your favorite sitcoms on Netflix, or dance around to funny songs! Laughter spices up life and is one of your best defenses against the winter blues.   

Written by Jordyn Cormier

This article was originally published with Care2; republished with permission. 

[image: via Natesh Ramasamy on flickr]

About the Author:

Care2

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