“Make ‘em laugh,” said Donald O’Conner in the famous movie Singin’ In The Rain. There’s no doubt about it that a good laugh makes us feel better and gives us a little energy boost, but can a good laugh actually make us healthier?
According to WebMD, researchers aren’t sure if it’s actually the act of laughing that makes people feel better. A good sense of humor, a positive attitude, and the support of friends and family often play a role. But while we don’t know for sure that laughter helps people feel better, it certainly can’t hurt!
Our bodies definitely enjoy a workout when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in laughing. It turned out that 10 to 15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.
While the results are intriguing, don’t be too hasty in ditching that treadmill. One piece of chocolate has about 50 calories; at the rate of 50 calories per hour, losing one pound would require about 12 hours of concentrated laughter!
Regardless of whether laughter actually improves our health or boosts energy, it undeniably improves our quality of life. Ultimately, if we enjoy laughing, we should go ahead and do it. No doctor’s advice needed!
