Have you ever wondered why we feel fantastic after gathering with friends and having a good laugh? Research shows that laughter positively impacts our mental and physical wellbeing by reducing pain, improving cardiovascular health and elevating our mood.
Laughing at a show on TV, a joke on social media, and at a funny book are great ways to get some laughs in, but there’s nothing more authentic, emotionally rewarding and health-boosting than daily laughs in a social setting with a diverse group of people. Laughing together improves social relationships, while socialising creates laughter, making it a simple, yet integral, part of our wellbeing.
On a physical level, the simple act of laughing can transform our daily lives and support longevity. Laughter triggers a reaction in our brain that provides an anaesthesia-like effect for hours after the joke has passed, as well as the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Cortisol levels drop, reducing pain and inflammation, and the combination reduces physical tension and alleviates stress, leaving muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
When we laugh, the heart pumps faster, blood is oxygenated more and blood vessel function increases, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol therefore leading to improved cardiovascular health. Similarly, we all know how tender our stomachs can feel after an outrageous laugh. This is because it’s a workout for our abdominal muscles, and by engaging and strengthening the core, we also work our back muscles; often helping to reduce back pain and improve breathing.
On an emotional level, laughter improves our moods by releasing chemicals and relieving stress. This in turn promotes emotional well-being, a better sense of self-worth, a more stable mood and a more positive outlook on life. By laughing, we become more optimistic, and studies have shown that individuals who have a sense of optimism, particularly in older age, also have a strong sense of resilience in the face of adversity.
So, should we make laughter an integral part of our self-care routine? Yes, I believe we should.
Recently, I attended a laughter yoga session with some of my colleagues at Wallacea Living. The session included clapping, chants and breathing exercises – all of which were designed to get the class laughing. Forcing yourself to laugh may seem a little ‘staged’, but research has shown that your body can’t tell the difference between forced laughter and natural laughter, so the benefits are the same. While the initial chants of ‘ho ho, ha ha’ may have seemed a little strange, it wasn’t long before we had all left our egos at the door and were having a great time together. I certainly felt that my stress-levels had reduced, and I was in a very positive mood to enjoy the rest of my day.
Taking a proactive approach to wellbeing is at the very heart of Wallacea Living and we are always exploring new classes and activities that we feel will be both enjoyable and beneficial for our homeowners. Creating opportunities where homeowners, friends and family can come together and have a good laugh is of huge importance to us, whether that’s setting up a regular laughter yoga session, reminiscing about tales from our youth or turning our hand to a new hobby; there are plenty of ways to come together and have a giggle.
You can check our upcoming calendar of free events here, including our upcoming laughter yoga session on Tuesday 6th August. Find out more about it here and sign up by calling our team on 020 3960 1005. In the meantime, I challenge you to complete five minutes of chanting ‘ho ho, ha ha’ with a friend. I guarantee you’ll be laughing together, and feeling great, in no time.
