The Benefits of Laughing
Neruda was always right when it came to laughing. True laughter is a reflection of the soul, which is why taking life in with a sense of humor is a great way of keeping your spirits up and your health in check.
When we laugh, we get so many benefits in return. Not only that, but in the process we radiate positive energy and a sense of well-being on everyone around us as well. That being said, why not brighten up your day to day with a smile?
Laughter is the language of the soul
Though it may seem that there is an infinite list of reasons to be depressed or discontent in your current reality, it’s very powerful to put positive energy behind those thoughts, instead of feeding them with more negative energy.
In fact, we’re surrounded by a huge array of possibilities and reasons to be truly happy and laugh until we cry, without even being aware of it or trying. Laughter is irrational and exclusively human.
“If you’re feeling good , it is because you’re thinking good thoughts .”
— Rhonda Byrne
What happens when we laugh?
From the time we’re about five months old, and even before that, we begin to release endorphins from our brain when laughing. These endorphins have an effect similar to that of morphine, which our vital balance greatly appreciates.
When this effect is produced, the negative energy gives way to a happy and positive state. And there’s nothing better than transmitting our positive energy to others through laughter.
Laugh, and the world laughs with you…but why?
Laughing promotes an amazing amount of benefits, and of a very distinct nature, too: physical, emotional, psychological. So, why should you laugh?
- Because your smile can provoke a smile in others: you never know how important it is to other people for you to be happy.
- Because your psyche will thank you for it: laughing helps to relieve depression and the stress of everyday life. It also boosts your confience and selfesteem; helping you to overcome shame, fear and suffering.
- Because it’s so healthy to really laugh: laughing promotes a well-balanced immune system, benefits your lungs and brain and helps to prevent heart attacks. Thanks to laughter, our muscles relax and our blood pressure lowers.
- Because you burn calories when you laugh: if you’ve always wanted to lose weight, a healthy diet and lots of laughing is a great way to start. Not only will you be burning calories, but you’ll tone your skin in the process.
- Because laughing supresses negative thoughts and powers our imagination: sponatenous laughter gets our creative juices flowing thanks to the release of tension.
“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.”
— Victor Borge
If it made you laugh, it was worth it
As the years go by, we realize that it’s much more worthwhile to laugh than it is to cry. If we cry twice, we should laugh at least three times.
“The highest state is laughter.”
— Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Remember that laughter is a powerful tool available to people of all ages and not just a privileged bunch.
There’s even something called laughter therapy. In the sessions, we’re taught about all of the benefits of laughter, how to laugh more often and how to face situations in a more positive manner by provoking laughter.
You start by learning to laugh at your self, to see the glass half full and never half empty, to watch funny movies and read funny books, and to see the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
After all, the moments that you’ll most remember will be the ones where you laughed, because the older you are, the better you understand that it’s better to laugh than it is to cry, and it’s even better if you can cry because you’re laughing so hard.
