Why Laughing is so Important

Katherine Chavez, International Studies Academy, Wat it do, ISA? (Fall 2006):

I love to laugh. Laughing is a part of who I am. I know plenty of other people who are the same way. So I started to wonder, what does laughing do for me? Is it healthy or does it use up the air in my lungs? The more that I thought about it the more I wanted to know because what if it wasn’t healthy and I was actually killing my self by always laughing.

So I did some research and now I’m glad that I’m always laughing my head off. I wasn’t surprised to learn that laughing is healthy for you but I most certainly was when I went over the list of things that laughing does for you. I’m sure we all know that laughing reduces stress but did you know that it also lowers blood pressure, elevates your mood, boosts your immune system, improves brain functioning, protects the heart, connects you to others, fosters instant relaxation, gives your body a work out and of course makes you feel good.

Humor as well as laughter is a powerful medicine for many different problems and that good feeling that we get when we laugh can remain with us as an internal experience or a special memory even after we finish laughing. Here are some ways to improve our mood enjoyment in life and mental health:
• Always try to laugh at situations rather than see them in a negative way
• Laugh as a means of reducing tension because laughter is often followed by a state of relaxation
• Remember that even in the most difficult of times a laugh, or even simply a smile, can go a long way in helping us feel better

Social benefits of humor and laughter:
• Laughter is the shortest distance between two people
• Humor unites us, especially when we laugh together
• Laughter heals all wounds (almost)
• Laughs and smiles are enjoyed best when shared with others
• To laugh or not to laugh is your choice

So remember, don’t laugh to make fun of someone but to lighten up your heart. No matter what, just keep laughing.