Laughter is known as the easiest way to relieve stress. Not only that, laughter also has a variety of other health benefits. So, how can laughter have a good impact on one's mental health? Find the answer in the following article.
Stress is a common condition and can be caused by many things, from family problems, work pressures, romantic relationships, to financial problems. One way to release the stress you experience is to laugh.
Laughter can make you feel happier, so that it can change a sad mood to be better and happier.
Reasons Laughter Can Relieve Stress
There are several reasons why laughter can reduce stress, including:
1. Produces endorphins
Laughter triggers the body to release endorphins, which act as sedatives and elevate mood. In addition, laughter can also reduce the hormones cortisol and adrenaline that cause stress.
2. Provides a relaxing effect
Stress can cause the muscles of the body to tense up, so you will experience complaints of fatigue and lack of enthusiasm. Laughter is believed to make the muscles of the body more relaxed and stimulate blood circulation throughout the body, so stress will be reduced.
3. Increase the supply of oxygen in the body
Laughter can increase the supply of oxygen-rich air to the lungs. This can relieve the stress you are experiencing. Therefore, if you are feeling short of breath due to stress, try to calm down and find something to make you laugh.
4. Increase heart rate
Laughter can increase heart rate and lower blood pressure. This will make your mood will improve and be more relaxed, so that stress subsides.
5. Improve quality of life
For people with certain diseases, undergoing treatment for a long time can cause fatigue and stress. Laughter is believed to make a person feel more receptive to difficult situations and connect with others.
Therefore, laughter can also be used as therapy for cancer patients to be more enthusiastic about undergoing a series of treatments.
Tips for Finding Good Laughter Sources
Although it has a stress-relieving effect, laughing also needs boundaries to be a positive activity and not hurt the feelings of those around you. Here are tips for finding sources of jokes so you can laugh:
- You can watch cartoons, read comics, or watch comedies online that can make you laugh when you're in a stressful situation.
- Tell funny stories to family or friends when you get together, it can build a more cheerful atmosphere so you can laugh easily.
- Try playing with pets as their behavior can sometimes make you laugh.
- Exchange short messages or funny pictures with friends.
- Know what's funny or not, for example, don't laugh at other people's stories.
After laughing, you may be able to find another perspective on your stress. This can push you through other difficult times and build positive thoughts.
However, if you often experience stress and find it difficult to deal with this condition, you should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist, especially if you suffer from certain health problems. A psychiatrist or psychologist will evaluate and determine treatment according to your condition.
