Where are you, gigglers? Did you know that this day is for you? Yes, March 19th is the National Let's Laugh Day, so let's use it to chuckle, snigger, titter, and just laugh our brains out!
People laugh in so many ways β they scream, roar, whoop, snort, etc. They do it when they are happy, excited, and sometimes even when they are sad or confused so that they can relieve tension. All in all β laughing is in human nature.
Laughing also has many benefits β for instance, it lowers our stress hormone (cortisol) and makes us feel good from the inside out. However, that is not the only thing a good laugh can do, no. Namely, it was proven that laughing makes us sleep better too! So, if you want to learn more about this one, keep reading.
However, before we start talking about laughing and sleep, let us first tell you something about National Let's Laugh Day.
So, this Laugh Day was βcreated' to remind people that, although we live in a busy and hectic world that is often filled with all sorts of stressors, they still need to pep things up with a little bit of humour. Laughing is the best medicine β so, laugh your stressors away.
Moreover, Laugh Day is used to tell people all the good things that can come from little humour. To mention just a few β laughing boosts our immune system, strengthens all facial and abdominal muscles in our body, releases endorphins, burns some calories, etc.
Laughter is also great for social interaction β telling jokes, fun facts, or just telling some stories in fun ways will certainly make you the most loved person in your friends' social group β that is a given.
How to celebrate National Letβs Laugh Day?
Now you know how important laughter is for your body and mind. Thus, celebrate this unofficial holiday by promising yourself that you will visit your laughter bubble every day.
You should celebrate Laugh Day every day! But, since this is a special occasion, make sure to do something a bit different. For instance, you can do the so-called laughter yoga. Laughter yoga is great if you want to have aching stomach muscles while also moving facial muscles β if you know what we mean.
Another great way to celebrate this day is to put people around you in good mood. Tell some funny stories to your co-workers and continue until you all become belly laughers. However, be warned β laughing is contagious! If you and your co-workers have long bouts of laughter, there is a chance your boss might join in.
The Benefits of Laughter
Just as previously said, laughing comes with many benefits β emotional and physical health benefits. So, let us mention some of them.
Improved mood
Okay β do we even have to explain this one? It is simply straightforward! Laughing equals a good mood. The more we laugh the better we feel. Some scientists proved that even if we have fake laughs, our brains understand them as real, and they still offer us all those health benefits. Thus, even if you feel like all you do is hit low spots and even if you feel awful, mask that with laughter β you will help your mind and body that way.
Stress relief
When we laugh β certain chemical signals in our brains are released. These signals are called endorphins and they are responsible for our well-being. Moreover, laughing decreases the presence of the stress hormone cortisol. When we are stressed, cortisol runs through our body and makes us feel wired. But, if we let our stress go and just laugh a little bit, cortisol levels can drastically decrease.
Increased immunity
And, now, to conclude. When you are not stressed and when you are in a good mood, your body's immunity rises! And, how it does that? Well, it does that by doing two things β increasing the levels of endorphins and lowering the levels of cortisol. When these two are in their optimal ranges, one is simply bound to be healthy (and happy, of course).
Does laughing make you sleep better?
YES! We can say this for sure!
If you've spent the entire day laughing β be sure that you will fall asleep in five minutes!
So, how does laughing affect our psyche?
Well, byΒ decreasing cortisol and adrenaline and by increasing endorphins and dopamine. As a result, it makes our stress go away, lowers our anxiety, and makes worries, fears, and even phobias more manageable.
Laughter also increases serotoninΒ β the so-called feel-good hormone. And, when we have increased levels of serotonin in us (from laughing), we elevate our moods, enhance resilience, and raise our pain tolerance.
Laughing also releases gamma waves! Gamma waves are typically released when we are calm, for instance, during meditation or yoga. But, they can also be released when we laugh β even if we have that uncontrolled laughter or that quick giggle. When we have enough gamma waves in our brains, we feel more focused, calm, and creative.
And, last but certainly not least β laughing increases the levels of melatonin released. Melatonin is another hormone that makes us feel good. But, this hormone does a bit more than that. Namely, melatonin helps us fall asleep and stay asleep. And, of course, it makes us wake up fresh and happy.
Research on the link between laughter and sleep
To prove the fact that laughter is the best medicine, let us share the following story with you.
A group of Japanese researchers asked 48 nursing women to spilt into two groups and watch TV for eighty-seven minutes. The first group of women watched Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin, which is, we can all agree, very funny. The second group of women watched some random weather information. After eighty-seven minutes, the previously mentioned researchers collected the breast milk from the women and analyzed it. The results were rather remarkable β the women who watched Charlie Chaplin had increased levels of melatonin!
So, there's your link between laughter and sleep. If you fill your days with laughs, you will sleep better.
Tips for laughing more during the day
Now you know all the pros of laughing. So, it would be dumb not to try to incorporate laughing into your days. It would be dumb as doing that is rather easy. But, if you need some guidance, here are some things you can do to laugh a bit more.
- Participate in activities that make you laugh
- Watch a funny movie or a TV show
- Find a funny friend
- Listen to a funny podcast while doing chores
- Hang out with a kid
- Do laughter yoga
- Go to a comedy show
Conclusion
As you have seen, laughing has many benefits. It is beneficial for the health of our body and mind. And, it is beneficial for ourΒ happinessΒ and well-being. So, don't ever hold that laugh back. Laugh from your heart. And, if somebody looks at you in a bad way because of your laugh, well, laugh at their faces.
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