We’ve all heard the adage: “Laughter is the best medicine.” But, now scientists have discovered that it’s true. Laughing is one of the most fun ways to protect a person’s heart, to lower blood pressure and to boost the immune system. And although children laugh on average about 400 times a day, adults on average tend to only laugh about 17 times a day. Today, A Gathering of Experts is going to explain why it might not be a bad idea to put Ace Ventura: Pet Detective into the DVD player.
I’ve heard that laughing burns calories. Is that true?
Yes, it is true. If a person laughs for 15 minutes a day he or she can burn 40 calories. It may not sound like a lot, but laughing can help a person burn off some of the calories that they take in throughout the day. And look at it this way, the more a person laughs the more calories they burn. It’s a win/win.
What are some of the other health benefits of laughter?
Research has found that 15 minutes of laughter a day is as important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. And it’s more fun, too. Laughter helps boost the immune system because it produces T-cells – which makes a person less susceptible to colds. It also helps relieve depression, because it releases endorphins.
It sounds like laughter mimics exercise.
Laughter does mimic exercise because of the health benefits, endorphins and calorie burning potential. In fact, laughing 100 times gives a person the same work out as 10 minutes on a rowing machine or an exercise bike. Also, laughing helps lower blood pressure and it has the effect of deep breathing – much like yoga. The body is expelling more air from the lungs than it’s taking in, which makes it a cleansing process.
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