Laughter is medicine! It’s one of the best. Here’s why…
Laughter. Is. AMAZING. Jokes with frands, a funny movie, a comedian, when someone is just plain dumb. You laugh. And it’s this incredible release of noise, escaping your throat and mouth, like a bubble trapped, then escaped, HA HA HA!
Why laughter?
Let’s talk about why laughing is so good for you. It’s beneficial because it helps the chemicals in your brain release something called endorphins. You’ve probably heard of them. When you exercise it releases these, and gives you a lot of joy. Endorphins are also released with excitement, when you feel love, and even when you eat spicy food! (Click to read the blog about how you can LOSE WEIGHT with spicy food.)
Some Science Stuff about it.
Interestingly enough, when you laugh, it’s not the moment of humor, that feeling of “Oh that’s funny,” that triggers the endorphins. In other words, it’s not the thought of something funny that created the endorphins. It’s the actual movement that your entire body makes to create the laughter. The muscles that move, the exertion that happens, is what makes those endorphins start pumping.
The best kind of laugh.
So if the motion and movement of laughing helps make those endorphins, then the bigger the laugh, the more the medicine. So that means, the big, hardy, loud, belly laugh is the best.
When?
When to laugh? Is it appropriate to laugh after some tough news, or during a difficult situation. Probably not, especially when someone needs your mercy and empathy. But maybe find a funny meme or video when you’ve had a long week of Mondays, and just release yourself to giggle a lot.
Where?
With friends, always laugh with friends. At the movies, at the restaurants, when you’re out for tacos and margaritas. Just go for it. Laugh and laugh and laugh. Make those endor-friends!!!
~Makin’ jokes with Dance Fitness with Jessica