{"id":6569,"date":"2016-10-04T16:33:42","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T20:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dobsonhealthcare.com\/?p=6569"},"modified":"2016-10-04T16:33:42","modified_gmt":"2016-10-04T20:33:42","slug":"6-reasons-why-laughter-is-good-for-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dobsonhealthcare.com\/dobson-happenings\/6-reasons-why-laughter-is-good-for-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons Why Laughter is Good for Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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6 Reasons Why Laughter Is the Best Medicine<\/h1>\n
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By\u00a0Tamara Lechner<\/a><\/div>\n
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Have you ever been in a tense or difficult situation when you suddenly burst into a fit of giggles? Or feel a release or rejuvenated after watching a side-splittingly funny movie?<\/p>\n

It turns out there\u2019s some scientific veracity behind the old adage \u201claughter is the best medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cLaughter activates the body\u2019s natural relaxation response. It\u2019s like internal jogging, providing a good massage to all internal organs while also toning abdominal muscles,<\/em>\u201d says Dr. Gulshan Sethi<\/a>, head of cardiothoracic surgery at the Tucson Medical Center and faculty at the University of Arizona\u2019s Center for Integrative Medicine.<\/p>\n

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Perhaps that\u2019s why Deepak Chopra says the healthiest response to life is laughter.<\/p>\n

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Studies have found that laughter can have healing properties; and it\u2019s contagious. Here are six reasons why you should start laughing today.<\/p>\n

Laughter is Contagious<\/h2>\n

The discovery of mirror neurons\u2014what causes you to smile when someone smiles at you\u2014gives credence to the belief that laughter is contagious.<\/p>\n

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When you\u2019re feeling down finding friends to laugh with can help your brain trigger its own laughter response and foster closeness, both of which contribute to your sense of well-being. Why do you think that sense of humor is such an important trait when looking for a partner? We like the feeling of shared laughter and our body wants as much of this feeling as possible.<\/p>\n

Laughter Reduces the Stress Response<\/h2>\n

When you laugh there\u2019s a contraction of muscles, which increases blood flow and oxygenation<\/a>. This stimulates the heart and lungs and triggers the release of endorphins that help you to feel more relaxed both physically and emotionally.<\/p>\n

Laughter Boosts Immunity<\/h2>\n

According to one study done at Indiana State School of nursing<\/a>, mirthful laughter may increase natural killer cell levels, a type of white blood cell that attacks cancer cells.<\/p>\n

Laughter Increases Resilience<\/h2>\n

Resilience is the ability to see failure as natural progression to success rather than as a negative outcome.People who are resilient are happier and more successful<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The ability to acknowledge mistakes without becoming angry or frustrated plays an important role in developing resilience. Laughing at mistakes allows us to recognize that making errors is a part of being human.<\/p>\n

Laughter Combats Depression<\/h2>\n

Studies support laughter<\/a> as a great way to get outside the downward spiral to depression. Being unhappy can become a pattern or mindset if we don\u2019t step outside of ourselves occasionally. By being a witness to our situation rather than allowing ourselves to feel the victim we can find the humor in it and see with fresh eyes. Even forced laughter releases a cocktail of hormones, neuropeptides, and dopamine that can start to improve your mood.<\/p>\n

Laughter Relieves Pain<\/h2>\n

People who are laughing don\u2019t experience less pain, however they report<\/a> being less bothered by the pain they do experience. It\u2019s not about changing pain levels. The amount of pain remains the same, but your perceived pain levels reduce and your belief that you can cope increases. Laughter by itself isn\u2019t the solution but it can help a person overcome discomfort.<\/p>\n

Quick Hacks to Bring More Laughter Into Your Life<\/h2>\n