Monday, December 02, 2002
"Whoever Laughs...Lasts"
Dr. John Jones has compiled one of the most comprehensive lists of the benefits of laughter. Consider the following as an emergency resource for those unfortunate times when we have to explain why:
A temporary increase in heart rate, improvement in blood circulation, breathing, and muscle tone. These sound like hoped-for results of physical exercise.
Lowered blood pressure and pulse rate. These benefits help prevent and cope with hypertension.
Increased nourishment of tissues. Healthy blood “feeds” the body better. This can also assist in preventing the formulation of undesirable clotting.
Pain reduction. This is often accompanied by less dependency on medication and shortened recuperation time from illness and surgical procedures. Laughter can also lessen emotional pain.
Stress reduction. Reducing the emission of the hormone cortisol, which weakens the immune system, probably causes this.
Muscle relaxation. This can ease tension and even break the spasm-pain cycle of rheumatism and neuralgia.
Increased ventilation and blood oxygen level. This can help people with emphysema and other respiratory illnesses. Laughter can help in clearing mucus plugs.
Stimulation of the immune system. One researcher found that watching a humorous video caused an increase in interferon-gamma both during and after the laughter experience.
Sharpened mental functions. Jokes require attention. Word-plays can keep the mind busy. Humor can stimulate the release of adrenalin and electrical activity within the brain.
Increased creativity. Laughter makes it easier to work hard comfortably.
Improved ability to organize information. The quality of work in teams can rise sharply if something puts members into a “good mood.”
Decreased isolation. Laughing together is a bonding experience. It is contagious, a socially transmitted disease of the best kind. It helps break down barriers among people because of its universality. Laughter may even reduce hostility and conflict. A New York Times article termed laughs as “rhythmic bursts of social glue.”
Decrease in anxiety. It is difficult, if not impossible, to laugh and be afraid at the same time. Humor can lessen the tension of frightening situations and put them into a different perspective.
Increased ability to cope. Being able to laugh with gusto can help people get through tough times, to cope with the loss of good health, to overcome grief, and to get on with their lives.
Induction of playfulness. Laughter can rejuvenate through helping people “regress” into a spirit of fun and adventure
A temporary increase in heart rate, improvement in blood circulation, breathing, and muscle tone. These sound like hoped-for results of physical exercise.
Lowered blood pressure and pulse rate. These benefits help prevent and cope with hypertension.
Increased nourishment of tissues. Healthy blood “feeds” the body better. This can also assist in preventing the formulation of undesirable clotting.
Pain reduction. This is often accompanied by less dependency on medication and shortened recuperation time from illness and surgical procedures. Laughter can also lessen emotional pain.
Stress reduction. Reducing the emission of the hormone cortisol, which weakens the immune system, probably causes this.
Muscle relaxation. This can ease tension and even break the spasm-pain cycle of rheumatism and neuralgia.
Increased ventilation and blood oxygen level. This can help people with emphysema and other respiratory illnesses. Laughter can help in clearing mucus plugs.
Stimulation of the immune system. One researcher found that watching a humorous video caused an increase in interferon-gamma both during and after the laughter experience.
Sharpened mental functions. Jokes require attention. Word-plays can keep the mind busy. Humor can stimulate the release of adrenalin and electrical activity within the brain.
Increased creativity. Laughter makes it easier to work hard comfortably.
Improved ability to organize information. The quality of work in teams can rise sharply if something puts members into a “good mood.”
Decreased isolation. Laughing together is a bonding experience. It is contagious, a socially transmitted disease of the best kind. It helps break down barriers among people because of its universality. Laughter may even reduce hostility and conflict. A New York Times article termed laughs as “rhythmic bursts of social glue.”
Decrease in anxiety. It is difficult, if not impossible, to laugh and be afraid at the same time. Humor can lessen the tension of frightening situations and put them into a different perspective.
Increased ability to cope. Being able to laugh with gusto can help people get through tough times, to cope with the loss of good health, to overcome grief, and to get on with their lives.
Induction of playfulness. Laughter can rejuvenate through helping people “regress” into a spirit of fun and adventure
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