7 Health Benefits of Laughing Out Loud

Lusea Lu | August 28, 2015 | Healthy Facts

5. Fights Depression Naturally

Laughter can help people suffering from either seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or full-blown depression. A study published in the journal Geriatrics Gerontology International found that laughter therapy can reduce depression in elderly people.

Laughter reduces the levels of stress-related hormones and replaces them with feel-good hormones. This means laughter creates a positive state of mind and when a person has a positive attitude toward life, there is less chance to succumb to feelings of depression and hopelessness.

If you are stressed, worn out or depressed, the most effective strategy you can employ is laughter. You can join a comedy club for the best results.

6. Natural Pain Killer

Laughter works as a natural painkiller. This has been proven by a study from Oxford University published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society. People who laugh a lot can withstand nearly 10 percent more pain compared to those who do not laugh much.

A good dose of laughter releases feel-good endorphins into your system that work better than morphine to reduce pain. Also, laughter can distract you from thoughts of your aches and pains. Laughter has also been found to break the pain-spasm cycle common to some muscle disorders.

When suffering from any kind of physical pain, include a dose of humor as part of your treatment.

7. Keeps You Look Young and Vibrant

A daily dose of laughter can make you look younger. When you smile and laugh, as many as 15 facial muscles work together. This increases the blood flow around the face, making you look younger and healthier.

Plus, a good belly laugh improves physical as well as emotional health. When you are healthy, you will surely look younger than your age.

So, instead of looking for products to help you look younger, start looking for reasons to laugh more. But make sure to keep your skin healthy and moisturized to prevent laugh lines.