Dr. Giggles will fix you inside-out

Question

Answer

Yes. Laughter is a way for the body to express emotion (usually happiness) and release tension. Humor and laughter promote positive attitudes.

When we laugh, we blow the stale air out of our lungs and increase the oxygen levels in our bodies. Our hearts beat faster during laughter and then slow down once the laughter is over. Many of the muscles in our bodies contract when we laugh, and afterward, they relax. It is hard to feel pain or tension when laughing.

Open-up. Aha! Just as I thought.

A positive emotional state can boost the immune system. Laughter is a way to cope with stress, reduce anxiety, and combat pressure, worry, and frustration. It can reduce inhibitions and lead to improved interpersonal relationships. It can decrease irritability and lighten a mood. All in all, laughter leads to an improved sense of well-being.

Bend over. Hmm!

Laughter does not substitute for proven medical therapy for disease, but joy and mirth benefit us all immeasurably.

Turn around. Let's measure it. Hmm... we should have a smaller tape somewhere around here.

{{ Laughter }}

No kidding: As I was saying, Besides improving your mood, laughing can reduce stress, help fight infection, reduce pain, and deepen your breathing rate. One study found that people who watched a funny video had higher levels of antibody (infection-fighting) activity afterwards. Researchers have also reported that laughing lowers people's levels of immunity-suppressing stress hormones. If that isn't enough to put a grin on your face, a hearty guffaw also increases your heart rate and puts the muscles in your face, stomach, and diaphragm to work. In fact, laughing 100 times is about equal to 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Now that's something to smile about!