You bet it does. An entire field of study called Gelotology exists to research and understand laughter. This field of study examines the physiological and psychological effects of humor and was established in the 1960s at Stanford University. Researchers have found evidence of the healing power of laughter and have continued to validate the pain-relieving benefits of laughter.
Studies have shown that laughter boosts the immune system: Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Ramon Mora-Ripoll showed that laughter releases physical and emotional tension, elevates mood, enhances cognitive functioning, and increased friendliness.
Laugher triggers the nervous system’s relaxation response: A good laugh releases physical tension, subsequently leaving the muscles relaxed for as long as 45 minutes.
Making yourself laugh works too: When we decide to laugh or smile the body responds as if it is real and we get the same benefits. A Georgia State University study found that incorporating simulated laughter into an exercise program helped improve older adults’ mental health, as well as their aerobic endurance.
If you haven’t laughed for a while, find a way to generate laughter. Watch a comedy on television, look at jokes, recall old memories that are humorous, or simply smile at a stranger. Get your laugh working and begin experiencing the physical and mental benefits of a good laugh.
“Every day there is more news about the power of humor and laughter to heal us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Every system of the body responds to laughter in some important, positive, healing way.”
—Steve Wilson, psychologist and self-proclaimed “joyologist”
Resources:
www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/342837/abs
www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/laughter-good-for-you
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2762283
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280463
www.worldlaughtertour.com
