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
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...