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
9 Modern Health Threats that ACTUALLY Matter
The world is a scary place sometimes. It can feel like we’re surrounded by health threats and forced to seek out miracle cures to fix them. But here’s the thing. When everything feels so urgent, it’s easy to get caught up in minor concerns while overlooking the real threats to your wellbeing. While debates about...
Ancient Wise Man's Gift Brings Modern Pain Relief
As we exchange gifts to celebrate Christmas today, we remember the biblical story of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While you might be hoping to find some gold in your stocking this year, it turns out that frankincense could be the REAL treasure—especially if you’re battling knee pain. Yes,...
Mailbag: Restless Legs Ruining Your Sleep? Try THIS
“What can I do to help my restless legs? They bother me in the daytime if I sit down for a while, but some nights, it keeps me up all night.” – Looking for a Leg Up on Sleep Hi Leg Up, Few things are more frustrating than being nestled all snug in your bed,...
The Simple Metabolic Health Hack You’re NOT Using
If you’re like most Americans, you don’t give much thought to your metabolism. But here’s a shocking statistic that might change your mind… One in three U.S. adults is walking around with hidden metabolic syndrome. This ticking time bomb is a cluster of conditions that can send your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type...
The Sunshine Vitamin's Surprising Heart Benefits Revealed
Most folks know that vitamin D is vital for bone health. And if you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you also know how critical it is for overall health. But now, incredibly, a new study has revealed something that could change how we think about the “sunshine vitamin” forever. Researchers uncovered evidence that this...
Discover How Gut Bugs Shape Your Brain Health
We’ve all experienced an intuitive “gut feeling” before. But what if I told you your gut is doing FAR more than just sending you hunches? A new study has uncovered a fascinating link between the bacteria in your digestive system and your brain health. It might just change everything we thought we knew about preventing...
Build a Stronger Immune System at Any Age
As we age our immune systems need a little extra TLC to keep us healthy and strong. But don’t worry, boosting your immunity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best immune-boosting strategies are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips...
Natural Solutions to Snoring
Regardless of whether you’re the snorer or the unfortunate bedmate, snoring is a source of stress for countless couples. The endless, rhythmic, sawing sounds can disrupt the rest of even the deepest sleepers. But before you resort to earplugs or separate bedrooms, let’s explore some natural ways to tackle snoring. Snoring isn’t just annoying. It...
Shedding New Light on Depression with this “Sunlight” Hack
You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of the blues hits as the leaves fall and the days grow shorter. Well, new research reveals that the same therapy that helps many folks battling SAD feel better could be a ray of hope for those fighting other types of depression, too. Here’s what...
Mailbag: Reverse Atherosclerosis Naturally? Science Says Yes—Here's How
“What actually reverses heart clogging?” -Heartfelt Hi Heartfelt, I have good news. We used to think reversing arterial plaque buildup or “heart clogging” was impossible, but now we know better. When my own patients ask me about atherosclerosis (the medical term for clogged arteries), I explain that—while complete reversal can be challenging—research confirms that specific...