The physical effects of a good laugh provide instant relief from stress and anxiety. While researchers struggle to pinpoint exactly how laughter produces these results, there is evidence to suggest that a good chuckle can improve health. Not only does laughter produce changes that are linked to a decreased risk for chronic disease, but these changes also influence weight loss.

Laughter and Weight Loss

Research shows that laughter triggers physical changes similar to those produced by a mini workout. Heart rate and blood pressure increase, which delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body. A study conducted at Vanderbilt University estimated that 10 to 15 minutes of laughter can burn 50 calories.

Laughter alone won’t replace exercise as a tool for weight loss, but other benefits can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. After laughter produces the effects of a mini workout, muscle relaxation and a decrease in blood pressure follow, which can result in improved sleep. Adequate sleep influences the hormones ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin increases appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods. Leptin signals fullness. Sleep helps regulate these hormones, enabling you to better control your appetite and achieve your weight loss goals.

Positive Attitude and Chronic Disease

Studies suggest that over time, negative feelings such as stress, anger, fear, and anxiety can influence health so much that they increase the risk for chronic disease. Regular laughter is associated with positive thoughts that trigger the release of neuropeptides and reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, laughter helps combat stress and negative thoughts that can contribute to disease. The influence of laughter on health was supported by a study from the University of Maryland Medical Center, which concluded that regular laughter may help protect against heart disease.

Research indicates that laughter also helps reduce pain. Laughing causes a release of feel-good hormones (endorphins) that act as natural painkillers. Reduced pain can lead to ease of movement and the motivation to be more physically active, which can improve mood and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic - Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke
• National Institutes of Health - Laughter is Medicine

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.