Laughter is associated with a variety of physical and mental health benefits. Among other things, laughter helps to reduce stress, increase blood circulation, improve breathing and relieve depressive moods.
In a current specialist article, psychologist Dr. Kia-Rai Prewitt from the Cleveland Clinic (USA) on the health benefits of laughter. According to her, not only physical and psychological well-being benefit, but also interpersonal relationships.
Positive psychological and physical effects
For example, laughter can help you get to know strangers and strengthen social bonds, explains Dr. Prewitt. There are also numerous positive health effects associated with laughter.
“There are actually some links to stress reduction, but also to long-term improvements in the immune system,” reports Dr. Prewitt.
Laughter is also a simple but very effective way to strengthen heart health, which, according to the expert, is because laughing increases oxygen supply and improves blood circulation at the same time.
The positive effects of laughter on heart health have already been confirmed in various research studies. For example, a study showed that laughter significantly reduces the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol and can therefore contribute to the effective treatment of angina pectoris.
Blood vessels and breathing benefit
The study author Professor Peter Ong from the Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart, who was involved in the study, explained in a podcast from the German Heart Foundation that laughter expands the blood vessels and thus promotes breathing.
Depressive mood reduced
The doctor adds that laughter also reduces depressive moods and contributes to the production of happiness hormones (endorphins), serotonin and immunoglobulins, which significantly strengthens the body’s defenses.
Laugh together, but don’t laugh at each other
Laughter can improve general health and mood and, in particular, strengthen the heart. Finally, Dr. Kia-Rai Prewitt, however, should be as careful as possible to ensure that the humor does not come at the expense of others. (as)
