What are the benefits of laughter for my health?

" It's good to laugh. Loud and loud and clear. we sang in Mary Poppins . This is a truth that is hard to contradict. Do you remember your last giggle? What a delicious feeling, isn't it? Do you know that unknowingly your body has benefited from the very powerful effects of it by improving our physical and mental health? We explain.

How does laughter work?

Whatever the origin of your laughter, your body reacts and emits sounds. What causes laughter? And how does it work? The origin of laughter can be multiple. It is enough for one of our senses to perceive a stimulus and we are off for a good laugh. Laughter can be born:

• From sight :a funny situation that you observe (who has never laughed at a fall or a grimace?);
• Hearing :a good joke, a good pun (or not for that matter), a funny sound;
• Touch :tickles on certain areas;
• Smell :do you know laughing gas? A chemical that causes uncontrollable laughter;
• Sometimes the act of remembering of a funny situation provokes laughter again.

Once the stimulus has been received, it is sent to the cerebral cortex, to different areas depending on the sensory organ concerned. A nerve signal is then sent to the right frontal lobe of the cortex and to the limbic system which controls our emotions. Then the information is sent to the muscles which contract to trigger laughter. Depending on the intensity of the signal emitted, you will smile, laugh or be faced with a giggle.

Laughter in a few figures

1. The average child laughs 300 to 400 times a day;
2. An adult laughs about 20 times a day;
3. 7% of French people say they never laugh;
4. You should laugh between 10 and 15 minutes a day to maintain good health.

What are the benefits of laughter for my health?

You have probably already heard this rumor that a giggle can save you minutes of life... If this is not entirely true, this legend is nevertheless founded. Laughter has many positive effects on our health.

Laughter:

• Reduces stress :as soon as the laughter process is triggered, your brain releases dopamine. This chemical reaction leads to a state of well-being and pleasure. Laughing instantly lowers your anxiety and stress and gives way to relaxation.
• Reduces pain :Laughing reduces muscle tension. Therefore, laughter with the release of endorphins has an effect comparable to morphine.
• Strengthens the immune system :When you laugh, your level of antibodies in the airways increases. Your immune system is strengthened to help you fight certain diseases.
• Improves digestion :a good laugh session facilitates digestion. Indeed, the intestines and the stomach are involved and improve the digestion process.
• Helps sleep :Laughing eliminates tension and helps to relax. The conditions are therefore met to find sleep.
• Improves mood :As a general rule, laughing puts you in a good mood. The positive effect of a giggle can even improve your mood for several days.

Because laughing is good for your health, Mutuelle Mieux-Etre includes fun workshops based on laughter yoga in its offer of prevention actions near you. Nothing like fighting the negative effects of stress, helping to relax and interact positively! Inquire now.

Laughter to strengthen your social relationships

Most of the time we laugh because we are with someone. When we laugh with a friend, a relative, a colleague, we prove to him that we appreciate his presence, that we share common points. Laughter strengthens social bonds. In a professional setting, laughter also strengthens team spirit.

Laughter only brings benefits so it would be a shame to deprive yourself of it. Free, recommended without moderation and good for morale and health, a good laugh can only do you good.