Everyone likes a good belly laugh from time to time, and science supports that feeling.
Studies have shown that laughing is linked to our physical, emotional and mental well-being — even our relationships.
Laughter is 30 times more likely to occur in the company of others than when one is alone.
It’s also contagious. You’re much more likely to laugh if you hear someone else laughing.
“When you have endorphins circulating through the brain, you feel good.
When you laugh, you’re inhaling more oxygen. So, all the cells of your brain are getting more oxygen, as well as the cells of your body,” Janet Gibson, a professor emerita of cognitive psychology at Grinnell College in Iowa said.
“It’s just a tool in your medicine cabinet to help you feel better. And I’d say it’s free, and it brings in all these other benefits that it’s a great tool to use and not to be dismissed as silly or worthless. ”
It’s hard to separate the benefits of laughter and the context in which you would laugh.
As such, if you want to harness the healing power of laughter, a funny movie might help — but it’s really the connections laughter builds with other people that count.
I – Word Understanding
Contagious – spreads from one person to another
Endorphins – “feel good” hormones
II – Have Your Say
1, There is no universal theory for what makes something funny. What are the things that you find funny and make you laugh?
2, Laughter is all about people, not the jokes. Who are the people that you share the best laughs with?
3, What do you think about the quote “Laughter is the best medicine”?
