Harness the Healing Power of...Laughter?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 30, 2023
It turns out it’s not just a saying, after all.
Laughter really IS the best medicine.
In a world that sometimes seems full of seriousness and worry, humor is a surprisingly potent and entirely free “medicine” capable of transforming our lives.
We’ve all been there. Laughing uncontrollably at some silly situation and setting off a chain reaction of laughter, joy, and connection with the folks around you.
Laughter literally has the power to heal. In fact, new research confirms it.
Laughing is FAR more than simply a short break from the seriousness of life.
It has social value, of course. Allowing folks to connect, improving relationships, and fostering a sense of community.
But laughing also swaps out the stress hormone cortisol in our bloodstream with dopamine, oxytocin, and morphine-like endorphins.
These chemicals not only trigger “positive” feelings, they also ease pain, boost immune function, and more.
And now a group of researchers has put laughter under the microscope once again.
The new review published in the journal Brain and Behavior CONFIRMED that laughter eases anxiety and depression.
The researchers concluded that humor significantly influences perception, attitude, judgment, and mood. And as a result, laughter can directly (or indirectly) affect our physical and mental well-being.
The researchers focused on specific therapies such as clown therapy (often used in hospitals to ease pain and anxiety) and laughter yoga (a combination of breathing exercises, meditation, and laughter).
But you don’t need to be in the hospital to use humor to increase healing laughter in your own life. In fact, I have a few ideas to help get you started on exercising your funny bone more often:
- Let’s start with the obvious. Watch a funny movie or TV show or read a funny book.
- Spend more time with the people you care about. Laughter is contagious, and hanging out with friends and family often leads to shared laughter.
- Check out comedy clubs or plays in your area for a night of laughter-filled fun.
- Follow social media accounts or visit websites that post funny memes, videos, or jokes.
- Laughter works best with an audience, so start collecting jokes and funny stories you can share with friends and coworkers when the time is right.
- Playing party games, board games, or video games with friends encourages silliness and laughter.
- A pet’s antics are a surefire way to trigger laughter. Play with yours more.
- Spend more time with kids who laugh freely and make us laugh right along with them.
- Look for the humor in tense situations or when something isn’t going your way. There’s often a funny side to even the most troubling circumstances. Laugh at yourself and accept your flaws.
Like most things, learning to let go and truly laugh takes practice. But when you get it right, a genuine belly laugh can literally improve your physical and mental health.
P.S. An Ohio State University focused on 43 couples to determine how marital interactions health. To the researcher’s surprise, not getting enough of this ONE thing caused folks to lose humor, understanding, and compassion. CLICK HERE for the whole story.
Source:
“The impact of humor therapy on people suffering from depression or anxiety: An integrative literature review,” Brain and Behavior, Early View e3108, First published: 21 June 2023, doi. org/10.1002/brb3.3108
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...