Can you laugh your way to fibromyalgia health benefits? In this second half of this article, I’ll share the Top 10 Health Benefits of Laughing for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness. And, I’ll share some ideas for bringing more of it into your life.
Ready for a few laughs?
In the first half of this article, I shared how we laugh and why we laugh. Check out this powerful information here.
Benefits of Laughing for Fibromyalgia
While I did mention that hearty laughter is a universal benefit to mankind, it can be particularly beneficial for the fibromyalgia community. Chronic illness negatively affects mood, the immune system, cognitive function, hormonal regulation, muscle tension, and the ability to manage stress.
What a blessing it is to discover that laughter has proven benefits in all of these areas and more.
I’ve gathered the Top 10 Benefits of Laughter for Fibromyalgia and list them below. They’re arranged in no particular order.
- Strengthens social connections
- Boosts the immune system
- Inhibits the stress response (fight, flight, or freeze)
- Improves circulation
- Stimulates positive brain function
- Eases muscle tension
- Lowers blood pressure
- Provides an emotional release and reduces negativity
- Enhances “living in the moment”
- Can be a whole body workout!
Laughing is Personal
Now that you know the benefits, what will you do to encourage laughter in your home? Discovering what you happen to find funny is worth the time investment. It’s easy to overlook the fact that we have to look for humor in daily life in order to see it.
Do you like or loathe puns? It seems that people are firmly entrenched in one camp or the other. Do you like slapstick, comedy spiels, silly songs, or complicated wordplay? Whatever it is, seek out more.
Suggestions to Invite More Laughter
- Enroll in Joke-of-the-Day emails
- Watch favorite sitcoms, movies, or DVDs
- Watch online videos
- Hang out with others who laugh
- Smile at your own reflection in the mirror as you pass by
- Hang out with children and laugh when they do
- Craft your sense of humor and look for things that make you grin
- Read funny books, cartoons, and blogs
- Reflect on family scrapbooks, photo albums, or home movies
- Watch comedians live, on TV, or on video
- Entertain friends with fun foods and games
- Relax, have fun, and play with your pets
- Try laughter yoga or laughter meditations
- Call up a friend and share funny memories
What are your favorite funny activities?
“At the height of laughter, the universe is
flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.”
– Jean Houston
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This article is my original work and first appeared at ProHealth.com. It is reprinted with kind permission and may be viewed HERE.
References:
http://list25.com/25-reasons-laugh-loud/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter.htm
https://www.verywell.com/the-stress-management-and-health-benefits-of-laughter-3145084
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/18/tips-lighten-up-laugh-more_n_4619912.html
https://daringtolivefully.com/how-to-laugh-more
