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Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross is a licensed psychotherapist with almost twenty years of clinical experience in the fields of clinical psychology and organizational management br br She has worked extensively with a wide variety of…
FAST FACTS
Laughter Really May be the best Medicine After All
A fascinating study was done how just how laughter effects our health and well-being. Apparently when we laugh our endothelium (the tissue that forms the inner lining of our blood vessels) dilates in order to increase blood flow. The exact opposite thing happens, our endothelium constricts, when we are frightened or stressed. The study examined subjects as they watched either a humorous movie or a suspense film. This vasodilator effect has huge implications for heart patients and for people who suffer from a number of physical ailments.
Researchers at the University of Maryland emphasize the beneficial effects of laughter as a result of the endorphins that are released which act as a natural pain killer and help to relive stress. This boost in endorphin levels can improve your immune system and is even said to reduce inflammation in the body. There have been studies out of Japan that report a smaller spike in blood sugar levels when diabetics watched a comedy versus listening to a dull lecture.
The medical implications of these studies are very interesting and certainly seem to be backed by some scientific evidence. I am not a medical doctor so I can only report and pass on to you what I read in journals but I can speak to the psychological benefits of laughter of which there are many. Most people would say they simply feel better when they laugh. A good hearty, tears rolling down your face, laugh can feel akin to a workout. The endorphin rush may contribute to this feeling. People report sleeping better after an evening of laughter and having more energy and enthusiasm when laughing is part of their life on a regular basis.
Laughter has been reported to reduce stress hormone levels and blood pressure. From a psychological perspective laughing, not just smiling but actually laughing, helps to lessen the symptoms of depression, helps distract from both physical and emotional pain and assists in forging bonds between people. Just think about how much closer you feel to someone after a good session of laughing together.
So when presented with the choice of going to that action thriller or a new (hopefully funny) comedy, give it some extra thought and ask yourself if your mind and body are in need of a little dose of laughter.
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I remember one time that he unintentionally made us laugh. He was telling the story of the time Jesus healed the man who had a host of demons. He said, "Jesus got out of the boat, and was met by a man beset by a host of deacons" then he quickly corrected himself "demons." Everybody laughed at his slip. He stood there, grinning, for a few minutes while he waited for our laughter to die down. Suddenly, he ducked down behind the pulpit. Anyway, we must have laughed for five minutes. I remember my stomach hurt and tears were running down my face by the time the laughter subsided. My pastor reappeared, looking quite red faced. I'm not sure if this was from embarrassment or if he'd had a laughing fit of his own up there. He gave a little chuckle, cleared his throat, and went on.
Even now, over a year later, remembering it makes me chuckle. I hope other people got a laugh out of it, too.
StephP
What is the difference between a cyclist and a psychiatrist?
A cyclist takes a ride on a bicycle held together by a bunch of nuts. A psychiatrist gets a bunch of nuts together and takes them for a ride.
A foursome was playing golf down the 8th, the road hole. A funeral procession was passing down the road and one of the golfers removes his hat and bows his head.
His playing partner comes up to him and asks "Did you know that person?"
"Yes" he replied "We would have been married thirty-one years next week"
A neurotic is a person who builds dream castles in his mind.
A psychotic builds dream castles and moves into them.
A psychiatrist collects rent from both.
Sure wish I had more of it. I guess I will try to watch more comedies, and less drama's. Thanks for a great article...
the choice to laugh instead of wallow is enlightening to my spirit.