If you’ve heard the term “laughter is the best medicine,” you’ve likely taken it tongue-in-cheek, but it turns out there’s some truth to it.
Dr. Karthikeyan Ananth, a cardiologist with Henry Ford Health, said all our emotions -- the good and the not-so-good -- can have both immediate and ongoing effects on our heart.
“When you are angry, your body releases stress hormones that can cause inflammation and muscle spasms that can trigger heart attacks,” Ananth said. “Similarly, when you are anxious, these stress hormones release chemicals to the body that promote vascular dysfunction and increase your risk of heart disease.”
On the flip side, laughter can eliminate many of the negative symptoms associated with stress. This is because when you laugh, the body releases hormones called endorphins. These are hormones that make you feel good and block out those other, negative emotions.
If you’ve felt lighter and better after laughing, that’s why. And what an easy way to take care of your heart.
According to Henry Ford Health, laughing doesn’t require a huge lifestyle change, but knowing how it can benefit you might encourage you to seek out the happiness in your life each day.
As it turns out, laughter benefits your heart in a multitude of ways. It:
- Boosts your immune system.
- Decreases your risk of heart attacks.
- Helps you lose weight.
- Prevents heart disease.
- Reduces blood pressure.
Would you like some more great news? The benefits of laughing go well beyond your heart. According to experts with Henry Ford Health, it can improve your social and physical well-being, too. For example, it can:
- Promote bonding in relationships.
- Improve your skin.
- Help with teamwork.
- Diffuse conflict.
- Add joy and zest to life.
If you’re not sure where you can make changes or begin to add more laughter to your life, try a few of these five simple ways:
- Spend time with close friends who fill your cup. Organize a night with fun games that encourage group participation.
- Add more shows and movies to your streaming queues and watch fewer crime shows, news or sports. Even better, investigate to see if there are any stand-up comedy shows coming to an establishment near you soon.
- Take a trip down memory lane, to a time when you have some funny memories. You can sift through old photos and try to remember details about that time.
- If you’ve been feeling lonely and have the means, consider getting a pet -- preferably one you can interact with. You can then set aside time to play fetch with your dog or send your cat on an endless laser chase.
- Plan a family gathering with some of your closest people. It can be an outing or a simple dinner. The point, however, is to focus on the present and avoid rehashing of old drama. Think of it as an opportunity to share fond memories or create a family game night.
What kind of factors could be contributing to your heart disease risk? Click or tap here to take a heart risk quiz a heart risk assessment.
To find a cardiologist at Henry Ford Health, visit henryford.com/heart or call 800-436-7936.