How Humor Helps Your Heart and Health
By Brandi Goodman
National Humor Month falls to April. The goal of this observance is to bring awareness to the fact that humor can do more good than one might imagine. It truly does have a therapeutic effect on the mind as well as aid in other aspects of health.
Heart Help
Laughter can significantly reduce the stress hormone cortisol. A reduction in stress can also help the heart. Stress puts a major toll on this organ and can cause blood pressure to rise. A rise in blood pressure and cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, and heart attack if left untreated.
It is said that laughing long and often can decrease the risk of heart disease significantly. Without stress causing troubles for the heart, including decreasing the amount of inflammation in the blood vessels. People who remain angry and rarely laugh are more likely to develop a heart condition. Of course, laughter is only a preventive measure. If you have family history of heart attack or disease or have other contributing factors, such as being a smoker, laughter won't be all it takes to stop it from happening.
Health Help
Laughter does more than help the hurt. It can help health in several other ways. Because it reduces stress, laughing can also boost mood. People who feel happy and relaxed are more likely to be in a good mood than those who are stressed and tense.
You may even find yourself with a boosted immune system if you're taking time to laugh regularly. Any stress to the system can wreak havoc on your immunity, and laughing reduces that possibility. It's even said that those who remain in positive spirits throughout their lives tend to live longer. With reduced stress, reduced risk for heart problems, boosted mood, and a working immune system all due to laughing, it's no wonder people would be living long and healthy lives. These health benefits are more than enough to make you want to laugh and laugh often.
Take the time to watch a funny movie, attend a comedy show, spend time with the friends that make you laugh the most, or simply check out some hilarious cat videos and memes and watch how your health changes. One day of laughter isn't going to be a cure-all, but making it a habit to laugh and enjoy life undoubtedly will be a way to help improve your heart and health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Indianapolis, Ind.