When we think of laughter, we think of jokes, joy and contentment. However, laughter also has many health benefits that can keep your body functioning at its best. When you laugh, you combat many effects of negative stress, such as high blood pressure, lack of sleep and a suppressed immune system. Unfortunately, we often get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget how good it can feel to laugh. Here are some ways that you can add more laughter to your life.
Find the Humor in Your Mistakes
No one is perfect, and you should stop worrying about each mistake that you make. Rather than dwelling on what you have done wrong, you should be able to laugh it off and move on. When you can chuckle about your faults, you won’t take them as seriously. This can lead to an improved outlook on life and higher self-confidence.
Identify the Irony
While it is not appropriate to laugh or smile in every bad situation, there are times when you can use humor to reduce stress during difficult times. You can keep your body from negatively reacting to stress by finding the irony or the humor in what you are experiencing. Your laughter will reduce the levels of cortisol in your body so that you don’t experience an increase in your heart rate or blood pressure.
Think of Something Funny
When you start to feel stressed out or angry, think about something funny, such as a line from your favorite comedy or something funny that your child said at dinner the other night. When you laugh, your body will release
endorphins that will give your brain a boost while helping you feel happier.
Spend Time with People Who Laugh
When you spend time with people who laugh, you may find that you begin to laugh with them. It is difficult not to laugh when other people are expressing their happiness, and you will feel happier and more joyful simply by spending time with them. Children are especially good at finding joy in their daily lives, and you might learn to do the same if you spend some time around them.
Laughter is good for the soul, but it is
also good for your body. By learning to laugh more often, you can live a healthier lifestyle while enjoying your life to the fullest.
