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Laugh Out Loud

Many say laughter is a great healer. And that is certainly true as it boosts our energy levels and improves our physical and mental health. However, as Friday the 17th of March 2023 proved, a good old chuckle connects, inspires, and helps people.

St. Patricks Day featured the usual Irish-themed high jinx, provided frivolity for race-goers at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and brought the UK together for Comic Relief, the bi-annual charity fundraiser. Red Nose Day 2023 has raised a whopping £34m so far, providing projects with funds that improve the lives of many people across the globe.

And the fun didn’t stop there because, on the 17th of every month, I link up with the like-minded, fun-loving, and inspirational members of Team 17 for our regular Zoom meeting. In recognition of our pseudo-Irish roots, worldwide comedy, and passion for learning, our session focused on the positivity of amusement. Some dressed up, others drank Guinness, but we all brought jokes and learned about the health benefits of laughter. 

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Image: Nathan Anderson

Having a good old chuckle brings people together in ways that promote healthy changes to the body, from strengthening your immune system to helping reduce the damaging impact of stress and much more in between. Look no further than laughter if you are searching to bring your body back into balance.

Being able to laugh easily and often supports physical, mental, and emotional health. It enhances relationships and helps explore solutions to insurmountable problems. However, the best thing about laughter is it is free! There are not many medicines like that.

How Laughter Can Improve Your Health

1. Laughter relieves tension and stress, relaxing your muscles for up to 45 minutes after.

2. Laughter reduces stress hormones and increases infection-fighting antibodies that improve resistance to disease.

3. Laughter triggers the release of natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which promotes wellbeing and sometimes relieve pain.

4. Laughter increases blood flow, improving the function of blood vessels, which can help protect you from cardiovascular problems.

5. Laughter burns calories. Admittedly, not as much as a run, but laughing for 10 to 15 minutes can burn approximately 40 calories.

6. Laughter can diffuse confrontation, anger, and conflict. Individuals can move past their difficulties by putting issues into perspective through humour. 

7. Laughter could help you to live longer, with studies finding that a brilliant sense of humour extends life spans over those who don't find amusement as easy.

8. Laughter helps you hold a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations.

9. Laughter stops you from feeling anxious, angry, or sad.

10. Laughter helps you relax and recharge, enabling you to stay focused and be more productive.

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Image: Thought Catalog

How Can You Add More Laughter To Your Life

Nobody likes forced fun. However, if you plan to find humour and laughter in life, it creates a strong foundation to build from. Over time, you will naturally incorporate it into your life and form a new fun-filled habit.

Here are three ideas to kick you off:

  1. Laughter starts with a smile and is just as contagious. Take time to smile at everyone you see and notice the effect it has.
  2. Be grateful for all the positive influences in your life. This simple act removes negative thoughts, which can block out humour and laughter.
  3. Spend time with people who can easily laugh at themselves as others. Their fun and playful nature make it easy for them to find humour in everyday events. 

As adults, we take life quite seriously, and laughter becomes infrequent, however seeking out opportunities for humour, connects you with the fun-filled times of our childhood. As laughter becomes integrated into your life, creativity flourishes, and you can see the world from a more relaxed, positive, and joyful perspective.

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Image: Jaime Dantas

And if you were wondering what joke I shared with Team 17, then here it is in all its glory:

While I was out driving today, I felt a bit nostalgic and went to visit my childhood home. I knocked on the door and asked the couple living there if I could have a look around.

They told me to go away and slammed the door in my face......

.....My parents are an absolute nightmare sometimes.

How are you going to bring more laughter into your life?

I’d love to know.

Have a brilliant week!

Dave Rogers, Chief Business Explorer, Fuelled Fit and Fired Up

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