Laughter is the body’s response to happiness and comprises both gesture and sound. Although laughter is not essential to survival, it is though to act as a type of relief mechanism. Scientific evidence has found that laughter has many benefits for the general health of an individual.

Immune System
Laughter inhibits the ‘fight of flight’ response, by reducing levels of certain stress hormones responsible. This is beneficial to health since these hormones suppress the immune system and raise blood pressure. Laughter actually boosts the immune system by causing an increase in white blood cells.

Blood Pressure
Laughter lowers the blood pressure, while increasing vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood. This in turn aids healing.

Saliva
Laughter leads to increased production of salivary immunoglobulin A, which helps to prevent pathogens (disease-causing organisms) invading the body via the respiratory tract.

Exercise
It has been estimated that laughing 100 times is the equivalent of 15 minutes’ workout in an exercise bike. Laughter exercises the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles, which explains why people often feel exhausted after laughing a lot.

Mental Health
Laughter provides a way for negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, to be released. Ever since the pioneering work of Patch Adams (a physician who recognised the benefits of humour when treating patients) doctors have become increasingly aware of the therapeutic benefits of laughter.

Source: “Inside The Human Body – A Complete Guide to Medicine and Clinical Practice”. Published by Bright Star Publishing plc, UK.