Laughter Therapy: The Psychological Benefits Of Laughter
Humor films, a friend’s jokes or a comedian’s jokes They are natural remedies to combat stress and emotional problems
The laughter therapy It is an alternative therapy that consists of creating situations that encourage laughter and humor to, in this way, relieve physical and emotional tensions. In this article we review everything you need to know about laughter therapy
Many studies have been carried out that support the multiple benefits of this form of therapy. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California (United States) have published several studies in this line of research.
These are some of the conclusions:
Laughter can provide good conditioning cardiac especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercise.
When we laugh we get twice as much oxygen a 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 improve children’s pain tolerance, which could be used in hospitals when children have to 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 watch these types of 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 , like endorphins. In addition, laughter de-stresses, reduces anxiety and increases energy. All these psychological and physiological benefits that are important to face different negative situations or bad moments.
The relationship between laughter and mental health
The link between laughter and mental health is evident as it helps to cope with disturbing emotions. It is not possible to feel anxiety, anger or sadness when you are laughing. But l Laughter not only relaxes, but also helps recharge your batteries At the same time, it reduces stress and increases energy, which is positive for staying better emotionally.
Humor helps you see things differently, that is, it helps you 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 spend good times with others, it creates a positive bond with other people. This union acts as a buffer against stress or burnout, conflicts with others, and threatening situations.
Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone But how can we generate those 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 humor books in bookstores or the library in your town.
Attend “laughter yoga” classes.
Take time to do fun activities (e.g. bowling, mini golf, karaoke).
Laughter brings people together in difficult times
Fun situations with others are one of the best strategies for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. These situations yes are emotionally impactful and build bonds for strong, long-lasting relationships Sharing these fun moments, laughter and play also add joy, vitality and resilience in the face of life’s difficult moments. Additionally, humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments and disagreements. Laughter unites people in difficult times. In couples, the incorporation of humor and fun moments improves the quality of relationships. But this also applies to co-workers, family and friends.
Using humor and laughter in relationships is good because:
It allows you to be more spontaneous and disinhibits.
Humor keeps your problems away.
Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
Helps express true feelings and deep emotions to reach the hearts of others.
