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By  J. D’Abbraccio RN,MSN

What are you laughing about?

We have heard the expression time and time again. Laughter is the best medicine. Is it really true? Have you ever walked thru a pediatric or a medical ward in a hospital and noticed clowns or entertainers and thought it was odd? After reading this, you will know why. Scientific evidence has shown to support the effectiveness of humor on one’s health. When was the last time you really had a good long laugh? Do you remember how you felt afterwards? I do. It kind of felt euphoric and relaxing. Why is that?

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The reason is that physiological responses to a good long laugh include: increased circulation and respiration, lowering of the blood pressure, improved coordination of brain functions, increased number of antibody-producing cells, reduction of stress hormones levels such as adrenaline and dopamine, increased level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins and neurotransmitters, and lowering of glucose level in blood. In more simple terms, we change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch our face and body muscles, our heart rate and blood pressure increase, and we breathe faster. All result in sending more oxygen to our tissues. It has similar benefits and results from exercising. It boosts your energy level, relieves stress and pain, and strengthens your immune system. Laughter is very efficient in bringing your whole body back into equilibrium. Best of all, you don’t need a prescription or money to get this medicine. It is free and always available!

Humor and laughter are great coping mechanisms when it comes to dealing with stress and pain. Whatever your daily routine is, make sure you incorporate humor and laughter throughout your day. Studies have show women laugh on average more than men. We all need to find time to smile. More importantly, your positive attitude will rub off on all your family and friends. Don’t you want them to be healthier also? I know I do. Even if you’re a professional health care provider, it is ok to incorporate humor when providing care. Laughter has shown to be effective with arthritis and cancer patients. It helps motivate and improves pain tolerance.

Helpguide.org is a great informative website which shows the importance of laughter and how if affects our health. I highlighted some benefits below:

Have difficulty laughing? It’s normal. Many people do. Here are some tips on how to make yourself laugh:

*Try watching comedies instead of horror or sad movies.

*Get a joke of the day calendar for your work desk. Share it with co-workers and friends daily.

*Surround yourself around positive people and you will reap the benefits.

*Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, try to laugh about them. Sometimes it is ok to laugh at silly mistakes. Especially if you are a parent.

Have you ever benefited from laughter/humor therapy? Or do you have a great tip on ways to bring humor to patients? If so, please share your experiences with our readers. We all can learn something new and get a good laugh while doing so.