A new study finds laughter likely plays an important role in social bonding.
Finnish and British researchers used scans to monitor the brain activity of 12 men.
They found social laughter triggered the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones in our brain.
These endorphins interacted with opioid receptors in the areas controlling emotions. And the more opioid receptors a person had, the more they laughed. The researchers believe the release of endorphins triggered by laughter could play a role when it comes to social bonding.
The study’s findings do emphasize the importance of vocal communication in our social circles. Social laughter leads to pleasant feelings, signals a feeling of safety, and endorphins may promote feelings of togetherness. All of these improve the quality of your life. So here are my prescriptions for adding more laughter into your life:
Partha’s RX
- Spend time with those who make you laugh. Go for a coffee, play fun board games, or better yet, take a walk together.
- Look for humor when unexpected things happen. Instead of being embarrassed or angry, ask yourself if there’s anything funny in that particular situation.
- Visit the library. It’s a great place to find funny books and comedies for you to read or watch either alone or with friends.
- If you lack a funny bone, you can learn to laugh. Start with a smile and then fake a laugh. It may feel odd at first but the more you practice, the more natural it’ll feel.
Laughing increases oxygen flow and circulation in your body. It lowers blood pressure, lowers stress, and may improve your immune system and promote healing.
What I love about laughter is that you’re enjoying the present moment, you’re living in the now. And it makes you feel relaxed and lifts your mood.
