What is Laughter Therapy?: The Psychological Benefits of Laughter

A fun and effective supplement that reinforces psychological therapy.

Comedy movies, a friend’s jokes, or a humorist’s jokes are natural remedies for dealing with stress and emotional problems. 

Laughter therapy is an alternative therapy that involves creating situations that encourage laughter and humor, thus relieving physical and emotional stress. In this article, we review everything you need to know about laughter therapy

Benefits of Laughter Therapy

There have been many studies that support the multiple benefits of this form of therapy. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan from Loma Linda University in California (United States) have published several studies in this line of research. 

These are some of the conclusions:

• Laughter activates the immune system: Humor therapy or laughter therapy has a positive effect on the immune system, making us healthier and more resistant.
• Reduces stress hormones: Your research results also indicate a general decrease in related hormones such as stress such as cortisol.
• It promotes the secretion of the so-called hormones of happiness:  serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins.
• Oxygenation: Increases the body’s ability to use oxygen.
• Mobilizes the spine, which helps relieve back pain. In addition, it helps the person to forget about the pain.
• Laughter can provide good cardiac conditioning, especially for those who are unable to exercise.
• Blood pressure: laughter therapy helps prevent hypertension.
• When we laugh we get double the oxygen, natural hyperventilation that favors all the body’s processes.

The laugh is the best medicine

Therefore, laughter therapy works well for certain emotional problems and to combat stress and pain. A study carried out by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that laughter shows improves children’s tolerance for pain, which could be used in hospitals when little ones have surgery.

At the University of Maryland, researchers found that an experimental group that watched humorous movies experienced greater blood flow compared to the group that did not view humorous movies. This could be related to the psychological benefits of laughter.

As already mentioned, laughter stimulates different catecholamines, which are associated with happiness, relaxation, and well-being, such as endorphins. In addition, laughter de-stresses reduces anxiety, and increases energy. All these psychological and physiological benefits are important to face different negative situations or bad times.

The relationship between laughter and mental health

The link between laughter and mental health is clear as it helps to cope with disturbing emotions. You cannot feel anxious, angry, or sad when you are laughing. But l to laugh not only relax, but also helps recharge. At the same time, it reduces stress and increases energy, which is positive for staying better emotionally.

Humor helps to see things differently, that is, it helps to see situations in a less threatening way. A humorous view of life creates distance from psychopathology, which can help you feel better and more prepared for the challenges of everyday life.

The social benefits of laughter therapy

Humor and playful communication strengthen our relationships by activating positive feelings and creating an emotional connection with others. When we have fun, laugh, and have good times with each other, a positive bond is created with other people. This union acts as a buffer against stress or burnout, conflict with others, and threatening situations. 

Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone. But how can we generate these humorous situations with other people? To do this you can follow these tips:

• Watch funny movies, series, or programs with humorous content.
• Go to venues where comedians are performing.
• Find pages on the web that are humorous.
• Surround yourself with fun people.
• Share jokes, jokes, or funny stories with others.
• Look for humorous books in the bookstores or the library of your town.
• Attend “laughter yoga” classes.
• Take time out for fun activities (eg, bowling, miniature golf, karaoke).

Laughter brings people together in difficult times

Fun situations with others are one of the best strategies for maintaining fresh and exciting relationships. These situations s on emotionally shocking and build ties for strong and lasting relationships. Sharing these funny moments, laughter, and play also adds joy, vitality, and resilience to difficult moments in life. 

Additionally, humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments and disagreements. Laughter brings people together in difficult moments. In the couple, the incorporation of humor and funny moments improve the quality of relationships. But this also applies to coworkers, family, and friends.

Using humor and laughter in relationships is good because:

• It allows you to be more spontaneous and uninhibited.
• Humor takes away your problems.
• Laughter helps to forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
• It helps to express true feelings and deep emotions to reach the hearts of others.