Laugh loud, hard and often
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it seems laughter is also proving to be one of the best forms of medicine.
The study, published in Geriatrics and Gerotology International, found that laughter therapy reduced depression in the elderly patients who were tested.
The same study also proved that laughter improved sleep quality, reducing insomnia.
A study published in the Spanish journal, Revista de Enfermeria, found that laughter can also reduce aches and pains for up to 45 minutes. Researchers found that laughter caused reductions in chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Laughing also has emotional benefits as experts believe that it creates deeper bonds with people, and is also a proven stress-reliever as it helps to reduce the ‘cortisol-induced stress’ response.
Laughter also gives the immune system a boost, helping to ward off infections.
And if you are the type of person who laughs regularly, you will enjoy the added benefits of improvements to the function of your blood vessels while increasing blood flow, giving a boost to your cardiovascular health.
Do you believe laughter really is the best medicine?
