Stress relief from laughter can make a big difference in your life😊!  Many professionals are taking life too seriously. 

People experience stress from relationships, money, work and many other sources.  People can get sick from being anxious.  We need some way to relieve our stress.

I use laughter daily to reduce anxiety and worry.  I also use it with all my clients to help them relieve anxiety and depression. 

There are 3 main benefits of laughter.

#1 Stress Relief from Laughter has Short Term Benefits

According to MayoClinic.org’s article “Stress Relief From Laughter: It’s No Joke”, laughter has short term benefits that can:

“Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.

Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.”

Laughter can also bring you into the present moment, where your life is.  You can have instant relief from your problems.  It also helps you deal with challenges.  When you are stressed, it is hard to act powerfully.  When you are relaxed, you can choose the best way to deal with situations. 

There was a study done on laughter and stress relief in cancer patients.  The conclusion was that laughter was effective in reducing anxiety, depression and stress. 

I find laughter relaxing. 

ACTION STEP: Laugh at anything that is remotely funny.  A joke, a comedy, a person doing something funny. 

Soothe the tension in your body.  Relieve your stress.  Breathe in more oxygen.  Feel good😊.

#2 Stress Relief from Laughter has Long Term Benefits

You can boost your immune system.  Laughter has been shown to help prevent you from getting sick.  Part of it is the extra oxygen in your body. 

You will be happier.  The more you laugh, the happier you will be.  If you add more laughter to your life every day, you will have more joy in your life. 

You will have more energy.  Laughter increases the oxygen in your body.  More oxygen equals more energy. 

Laughter reduces your stress hormone levels.  This reduces the stress on your body. 

ACTION STEP: Make a commitment to yourself to add more laughter to your life.  Set aside time everyday to laugh.  Watch something that makes you laugh on YouTube.  Or go to a laughter club. 

You can change your life by adding more laughter to your days.  You will enjoy your life more. 

The key: Incorporating laughter into your daily life is what will really make the difference for you. 

When you add more laughter into your life, you will be less anxious and depressed.  Your happiness will be boosted.  You will feel lighter. 

Laughter makes life more fun.  You won’t get upset by small things.  You can just laugh at them!

#3 Stress Relief from Laughter helps Relationships

According to HelpGuide.org’s “Laughter is the Best Medicine”, laughter brings people together and strengthens relationships. 

“There’s a good reason why TV sitcoms use laugh tracks: laughter is contagious. You’re many times more likely to laugh around other people than when you’re alone. And the more laughter you bring into your own life, the happier you and those around you will feel.

Sharing humor is half the fun—in fact, most laughter doesn’t come from hearing jokes, but rather simply from spending time with friends and family. And it’s this social aspect that plays such an important role in the health benefits of laughter. You can’t enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time to really engage with them. When you care about someone enough to switch off your phone and really connect face to face, you’re engaging in a process that rebalances the nervous system and puts the brakes on defensive stress responses like “fight or flight.” And if you share a laugh as well, you’ll both feel happier, more positive, and more relaxed—even if you’re unable to alter a stressful situation.”

Laughter helps you bond with other people.  Victor Borge said “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”

ACTION STEP: Get together with a friend who makes you laugh.  Go laugh with them and you can both feel good.

You can laugh at almost everything.  Find the absurdity in life.  Laughing at yourself is powerful.  You can watch comedies.  You can do laughter yoga.  You can laugh along with other people.  You can laugh at all jokes, funny or not.  You can hang around with people who make you laugh. 

So, the benefits of laughter are huge.  The important thing is to make laughter part of your regular life.  When you are laughing morning, afternoon and evening, you can shift your life! And the stress relief from laughter can boost your happiness:)!

To Your Happiness,

Jim Twomey

Tucson’s Depression and Anxiety Breakthrough Specialist

CEO and Founder of Peace for You