Healthy Living

“Laughter is the best medicine.” We have all heard that phrase, but do we truly believe it? Recent research has shown that humor can indeed have an effect on our physical and mental health. Paul E. McGhee, PhD, has written 13 books on humor, stress and coping. He discusses the many therapeutic benefits of laughter on his website www.LaughterRemedy.com. Among them are:

• Muscle relaxation. Belly laughs result in muscle relaxation. When you laugh, the muscles involved in the belly laugh motion first contract, then relax, increasing circulation through the musculature.

• Increase in pain threshold. During laughter and for a short period of time afterwards, pain is minimized. Part of this effect may be due to “distraction,” a well-known technique used to control pain. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, which may be considered to be one of the body’s natural painkillers.

• Cardiac exercise. A belly laugh is comparable to “jogging internally.” It increases the activity of the heart and stimulates circulation. Additionally, after the laughter subsides, the cardiovascular system goes into a state of relaxation.

• Respiratory system exercise. Repeated belly laughter makes you exhale more than inhale, resulting in a lung-cleansing effect. I remember how difficult it was to have my patients “deep breathe and cough” after surgery. A few good belly laughs is easier, more effective, and certainly more fun!

• Memory enhancement. Recalling funny anecdotes from the past to retell to others is a memory stimulant.

I keep a file of humorous cartoons, jokes, and anecdotes to share with my co-workers, family, and patients. Comedies on DVD are a wonderful resource for assured laughter for 60 to 90 minutes. Everyone appreciates the break from our increasingly stressful lives.

Who couldn’t benefit from some “humor therapy” in our lives? Let’s try to look at the lighter side of life and laugh our way towards better health. What have we got to lose?

Alice Facente is a registered nurse and clinical educator with the The William W. Backus Hospital Education Department. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. If you want to comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org