Laughter a natural energizer
Laughter is not only a natural energizer but also a powerful tool for improving health. It helps accelerate healing, reduce pain, and lower the risk of depression, heart disease, and even suicide. Research has shown that people with heart disease laugh significantly less than those without, possibly due to the stress-reducing effects of laughter. The act of laughing lowers stress hormones, which can protect the heart by preventing inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Humor also plays a significant role in relationships, particularly in sexual attraction and long-term partnerships. Studies suggest that women tend to prefer partners who can make them laugh, while men typically enjoy making their partners laugh. In relationships, the level of laughter in women is seen as an indicator of the relationship’s health, while a man’s happiness is often tied to how much his partner laughs. Interestingly, women tend to laugh more than men, with research showing they laugh more than twice as often on average.
In the professional world, a sense of humor is also important. Over 90% of top executives consider humor to be an essential trait for career advancement. A good sense of humor can foster positive interactions and improve one’s chances of success in the workplace.
As for how life experience affects our ability to laugh, research shows that humor is largely learned rather than innate. A study of twins found that responses to humor were more influenced by shared family and cultural environments than by genetics. This means that anyone can develop a sense of humor, regardless of their background or genetic makeup.
To enhance our health, relationships, and career, we can all benefit from incorporating more laughter and humor into our daily lives. This could involve regularly reading something funny, watching comedy films, or finding ways to take ourselves less seriously. Engaging in fun activities or hobbies that put us in new, unexpected situations can also help us laugh more. Additionally, something as simple as tickling, which has been a social bonding tool for centuries, can trigger laughter and playfulness. Unfortunately, studies show that the joy of tickling tends to decline with age, which is another reason why grandchildren are so important—they bring back physical playfulness into older age.
One of the easiest ways to start is by smiling more. Research has shown that even forcing a smile, like holding a pencil between your teeth, can lead to a boost in happiness. This concept, known as proprioceptive psychology, suggests that our physical actions can influence our emotional state. It’s similar to the idea behind the Alcoholics Anonymous slogan, “Fake it till you make it.” By embracing laughter and humor, we can improve both our physical and emotional well-being, with nothing to lose and everything to gain.