Why laughing really does make us healthier
We’ve been home a lot since corona and we see our family and friends less often than before. Not to mention a curfew…Not exactly good reasons to laugh a lot. Yet we must do so, especially now. Several scientific studies endorse it, laughter is healthy. Laughing often can really make a difference in difficult times. But why? What makes it healthy? And more importantly, do you laugh often enough?
4 positive effects of laughter on the body and mind
1. A stronger immune system
By now, we all know the words ‘immune system’ by heart. But did you know that you can strengthen this complex system by laughing? Research has shown that 5 minutes of intense laughter or positive thinking improves the function of our blood. For example, your body produces more T-cells (found in your blood) when you laugh. These are specialized immune system cells that immediately begin to fight viruses/bacteria/diseases as they enter your body. In other words, we help our bodies to become less likely to be ill when we laugh for at least 5 minutes every day. There’s no better medicine, is there?
2. You feel happier
No doubt you’ve heard this before: When you laugh, your body produces endorphins. A happiness hormone that provides a sense of contentment and… indeed, happiness. At the same time, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are pushed back. This causes your body to relax more. In addition, laughter is contagious and so you can also influence the mood of your environment. You smile, I smile, and vice versa of course!
3. It gives meaning to life
Finding the meaning of life through laughter? It can be done! In the book “Anatomy of an Illness,” Norman Cousins describes how he got over his illness by going on a strict laughter diet. A hospital in Georgia even set up a so-called laughter room where you could watch comedy series and funny movies from a comfortable chair. The researchersnoticed that the people who spent a few hours daily in this room had found a new zest for life and a great desire to recover. We said it before: laughter is great medicine.
4. More peace and quiet
Mother Teresa once said, “Peace begins with a smile.” Globally, corona creates unrest. On an international level, but also on a smaller scale, on a personal level. However difficult these times sometimes are, a smile, our positivism, makes it all a bit more bearable. Smiling at someone can be encouraging and supportive. According to both modern and traditional medicine, the power of laughter, and smiling, is invaluable to our physical and mental health.
Do you laugh often enough?
How often do you smile in a day? Perhaps far too little. Are you unsure about your smile? Do you think your teeth are not white enough or maybe you have bad breath? Know that something can be done about it. Because it’s never too late to choose a healthy, fresh smile. blue®m is here to help. With our different oral care products based on active oxygen, we help you to achieve a healthy and radiant smile!