There are many studies that have shown that laughter has benefits both physically and psychologically. We know that a good laugh is capable of activating muscles that would hardly be activated otherwise; We also know that through laughter a series of hormones are generated that make us happier.
Explanation:
The use of laughter, humor, and positive emotions as therapeutic agents may appear to be a current invention, however there are numerous testimonies of their use for medicinal and health-enhancing purposes in various cultures throughout the entire history of mankind.
The first data on record refers to the ancient Chinese empire in which more than 4,000 years ago there were already places enabled for people to meet to laugh as a means of balancing their health.
Although the use of laughter and its surroundings for therapeutic purposes has been present throughout history, it has been since the 70s when it has begun to arouse the interest of the Western scientific community and when research and studies of all kinds around this healthy question, have proliferated . At present there are countless works that address the benefits of positive emotions, humor and laughter in the different aspects of human health.
Before going on to inventory the healthy properties that laughter and humor have collected in specialized publications, we will begin by pointing out the subjective benefits that people manifest in this regard. After experiencing laughter for several minutes, all people feel a positive and elevated state of mind, an optimistic vital attitude, a feeling of global relaxation, a certain fatigue, frequently discomfort in the abdominal muscles, those of the face or those of the neck as a result of their contraction and intensified exercise, and greater closeness and sympathy towards the people with whom laughter has been shared.
The effects that have been mentioned so far have been corroborated and explained by the studies carried out. The following summarizes all the benefits that are concluded from research and work on laughter and humor.
The main physical benefits of laughter are:
Relaxes the body.
It favors the heart and the circulatory system.
Improves respiratory function and increases oxygenation.
Supports the immune system.
It has an analgesic effect due to the release of endorphins.
The main psychological and social benefits of laughter and humor are:
Reduces anxiety and stress.
Relieves symptoms of depression.
Distract from worries and cut negative thoughts.
Strengthens self-esteem.
Helps to deal positively with everyday problems.
Enhances intellectual abilities.
It allows you to strengthen relationships, increase trust and reinforce feelings of belonging, closeness, friendship and love. They predispose to cooperation and solidarity.
Facilitates communication between people.
Helps prevent conflicts and reduce levels of aggressiveness.