Got the Giggles?
Everyday Use:
Imagine a group of men trapped deep in a mine with little to sustain their lives for a handful of days. While they support each other, 14 days pass before their families and countrymen even know they are alive. On August 5, 2010, 33 Chilean miners were victims of a coal mine collapse and were trapped 2,300 feet below the earth’s surface. With little hope and initially thought to be dead, these coal miners survived in the ground for 70 days before being rescued. In relating their means of survival, several miners cited the humor and laughter amongst the group. One miner credited the combination of faith and “pranks” for staying alive. “Yes playing jokes on each other was on of the ways we fought off fear and despair.” Though few if any of us will face such a long and frightening experience, all of us will go through tough times and will need a survival kit of our own. These miners used laughter as a way to survive their dire situation; many of them may look back and chuckle at their experience as means to continue to help them cope with what they went through half mile underground. So perhaps there is truth to the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Causes:
Be it a joke, a comedy, or relating to a humorous event, what makes us laugh is usually not as funny the second time. This fact is important in understanding why we laugh. We find humor in the unexpected. German philosopher Immanuel Kant theorized that laughter is the “non-matching” of what is expected. When we listen to a joke, our brains are trying to predict the conclusion of the story. However, when we are told a different outcome, our brain is flooded with emotions and we find it funny. This humor may cause us to laugh.
Medical/Chemical Reactions:
Medical experts note the many direct health benefits of laughter. Jokingly, many of us say we would rather have a good laugh than do those painful sit-ups and crunches. Ironically, this is not a joke. Laughing is an excellent abdominal exercise. A good laugh works out the diaphragm, contracts the abdominal muscles, and even exercises the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. The heart also benefits from a good chuckle. When we are under stress our bodies produce high levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and dopamine hormones. These “stress hormones” suppress the immune system, increase the number of blood platelets (which can cause obstructions in arteries) and raise blood pressure. The positive, health-enhancing hormones such as endorphins that are released with laughter work to dilate arteries and thus reduce blood pressure.
Effectively, lower blood pressure increases the natural killer cells that destroy tumors and viruses. Similarly the laughter will increase Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells, which play a major role in the immune response, and B-cells, which make disease-destroying antibodies.
Social Benefits:
Humans love to laugh socially, but few understand the psychological benefits of laughter. Is it coincidence that late night television is crammed with our favorite sitcoms? - Not exactly. - In competing for our viewership, television stations take careful aim at a common need in the evening and late night hours. Our stress builds over a day at work, at school, or even managing a family, and laughter is a natural antidote. Laughter provides an escape from our daily worries and fears. It releases endorphins – natural hormones that lead us to feel euphoric, even for a moment. Within a group, laughter can provide a sense of belonging, security, and even hope. The story of the trapped men – a worst-case scenario - serves as great example of this benefit of laughter. Synopsis:
Worldwide, the different languages and dialects are innumerable, but the language of laughter is universal. Everyone enjoys the gift of laughing, and it is a gift we can share with each other. Laughter can bond us and give us a sense of belonging, security, and even a release from stress. More than that, laughter is an absolutely healthy activity. It is a proven blood pressure reducer, and even an effective abdominal exercise. Laughing is a proven tool for one’s personal survival guide. You may not be a miner stuck underground, or have high blood pressure, but either way it doesn’t hurt to laugh once in a while. When it comes to your health and wellbeing, laughter is no joke. Go ahead and have a good chuckle.
