One of the best-known sayings in Spanish, of all there are, affirms that laughter is the best medicine. And he’s right. Laughter is not only fun and enjoyable, but it also has a string of benefits for the physical and mental health of those who practice it.
Numerous studies, ancient and modern, have shown that laughter can reduce stress and anxiety and even improve heart health. In fact, laughter has been shown to have such a positive effect on the body that it can even become a form of alternative treatment to improve general well-being.
It is a powerful antidepressant
Negative thoughts are kept at bay when there is laughter. When something makes us laugh, all the tension and sadness are relieved.
bring happiness
If laughter fights depression and sadness, it means that it can also bring happiness: laughter releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced by the brain and endowed with powerful analgesic and exciting activity that can increase happiness levels.
Reduces stress and anxiety
When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, the natural feel-good chemicals, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. At the same time, the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.
Improves digestion
Sometimes digestion doesn’t go as it should. Faced with these difficulties in digesting food, laughter is a good alternative, since it creates a natural massage for the internal organs that relaxes them. It also boosts the production of digestive juices: the more there are, the better food breaks down.
Facilitates sleep
In order to sleep comfortably, it is necessary to be relaxed and without tension. Laughter, of course, has the ability to relax the body and mind thanks to the whole cocktail of hormones it releases. Therefore, it helps to improve the quality of sleep.
Boosts cardiovascular health
Laughter has been shown to improve blood flow, which can help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, while also lowering blood pressure. All of this helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Promotes social relationships
Laughter and good humor also help build healthy relationships. Laughing strengthens the bonds between people because they have a good time together, which is much better than having negative social experiences such as awkward silences or anger. Laughter unites and brings people closer, creates a positive environment and makes everything better.
prolongs life
Science, given all the benefits that laughter produces, has concluded that laughter is associated with a longer life expectancy: those people who laugh regularly tend to live longer and have a lower risk of suffering from certain diseases, such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Although it is clear that laughter helps, it is not miraculous. For a sense of humor to extend life, you have to have good habits.
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