5. Laughing Boosts Immunity
See laughter is good medicine when you consider that it activates your body’s T cells (or immune system cells) to help you ward off germs, flues, and illness. Just ask psychology and neuroscience professor, Robert R. Provine, who studies the health benefits of laughter at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and who penned the book, Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. That means if you feel a sniffle or sore throat coming on, go see a rip-roaring comedy to boost your immunity.
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6. Laughter Decreases Blood Pressure
Do you struggle with blood pressure? Try a round of laughter to decrease and maintain healthy blood pressure levels. According to long-term studies from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, laughter has been linked to lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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7. Laughter Banishes Stress
Rough day at the office? If you’re suffering an undue amount of stress and anxiety due to looming deadlines, a hard to please boss, or piling paperwork, try pulling a coworker aside to tell you a funny Dilbert joke. Chances are a few moments of laughter will greatly reduce the level of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol) coursing around in your body.
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8. Laughter Helps Those Suffering From Depression
When it comes to mood—be it a mild case of the blues or chronic depression—a 2011 study from Oxford University showed how laughter could improve one’s overall outlook on life. When the research team conducted a series of experiments that monitored groups of participants watching comedic sitcoms or live comedy, it found that the act of laughing eased emotional and physical discomfort and pain significantly.
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Emily Lockhart
Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.