7 Reasons to Laugh It Up Today

No one knows for certain why we laugh. Despite decades of research, scientists and doctors have yet to identify a convincing physiological reason. Philosophers and psychologists, too, have struggled to come up with convincing social rationale for laughing. But we do know this: When we laugh, the human body undergoes some serious transformation. And there are many health benefits to a good belly laugh or an evening at the comedy club. Those benefits include:

Burning calories:

Not many, but it can help.

Firing up your brain:

For it to be funny, we must analyze and process jokes and absurd situations. A small I.Q. boost. (Don’t think about why the chicken crossed the road for too long)

Endorphin boost:

Laughing actually brightens your mood through a chemical reaction in your brain. 

Relax:

The relaxed feeling you get after a fit of laughter is similar to the one you get after a workout. And it can last for up to an hour.

Immune system boost:

It increases your body’s production of antibodies and T-cells that fight off disease and boost your immune system. Laughing increases your pain tolerance and decreases your blood pressure too.

Stress levels plummet:

Stidies show people with a strong sense of humor become less depressed and anxious than those with a less developed sense of humor.

Reinforces relationships:

Laughing in a group forms strong social bonds.