Latest / RiseUp - Live Joy Your Way / The Science of Laughter: An Intentional Tool for Joy and Well-being
Transcript
- Hi there, and welcome to another episode of Rise Up Live, joy your way, whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening. Thank you for taking some time outta your day to spend here with me. So I'm curious, have you ever laughed? So hard that tears had streamed down your face or your belly hurt, and suddenly life felt a little lighter. And just want you to think back to the last time that that happened, and imagine feeling that good on a regular basis. What if I told you that laughter isn't just a fun distraction, but it's actually scientifically [00:01:00] proven to enhance your happiness and reduce your stress, and maybe even reduce some physical pain? So today I wanna actually dive a little deeper into the science behind humor and happiness and how you can intentionally cultivate laughter as an actual powerful tool to build your emotional resilience and your wellbeing. So let's just start with what humor really is and, and what I mean by that is, let's start with it from a scientific perspective. Researchers have found that humor involves several different parts. Understanding and creating jokes, enjoying humor, regularly, engaging in laughter, and having a generally. Optimistic, cheerful outlook on life. But here's something fascinating. The science also reveals that it's not necessarily about being the funny one. The real key to happiness lies more in appreciating humor than creating it yourself. In fact, there is a study that illustrates this very phenomenon. Researchers conducted an experiment with a group of senior citizens who, and offering one group daily humor, therapy, funny stories, laughter exercises, and [00:02:00] playful interactions. After eight weeks, this group reported feeling 42% happier when they began than when they began the study. They were also 35% happier than a control group that didn't participate in the chemotherapy. And what's even more shocking or striking, is that participants actually experienced noticeable reduction in their physical pain, in their sense of loneliness and in their emotional distress. So why did that happen? Because when you laugh, your body undergoes remarkable changes. Physiologically speaking, laughter reduces the levels of distress. Hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and simultaneously triggers the release of endorphins. The ne, the body's natural feel good chemicals. So humor actually provides this emotional relief by shifting the perspective, allowing us to see our problems in a less threatening, less overwhelming way. So there's like, it's like an emotional alchemy that's happening. We're transforming stress. Tension [00:03:00] into a sense of relief and joy. But, and this is actually a really important distinction, not all humor is created equal. You've probably experienced this yourself, like some jokes uplift you, making your mood brighter and your outlook more positive. But other jokes that like sarcasm perhaps could feel belittling. So it's actually, and they might actually have a negative effect. Somebody says something sarcastically and it doesn't land the right way. So according to psychological research, positive humor, humor that fos fosters connection and warmth that's associated with the higher self-esteem, greater optimism, the reduction in anxiety and depression. But that negative humor might actually while has a moment momentary release over time, it actually might lead to increased feelings of bitterness, dissatisfaction, and emotional distance. And that might make sense if you think about. I don't know, I, this is in my life with the somebody who's been overly sarcastic. Like at first there's like a quick like, ha ha ha. But then over time it [00:04:00] almost wears on you and you, you recognize like it's, it doesn't actually feel as good. So I personally know that with some challenging times in my life, um, with immense, with immense stress, where I have felt that the tension in my life is actually palpable. Like I could feel my chest. Tight and my, my body almost hurt from the tension. Um, I know that I experienced, um, close friends actually sending me ridiculously absurd, uh, reels on Instagram. And I would laugh out loud. And it's not just, um, you know, it was like it gave me an opportunity to belly laugh. Now, while that didn't take away. All the challenges that I was going through and that stress that I was going through, that, that moment of humor, that moment where I could have that true belly laugh allowed for some tension to break that I had been holding onto and it gave me room to breathe, like actually take a deep breath and it, and it [00:05:00] allowed room for me to feel. That the feel into the fact that I am capable of handling what's in front of me. So while the power of humor didn't change what I was going through, it did shift my relationship to my, my belief and my ability to handle the stress that was in front of me. So how do you practically invite humor and laughter into your life? Well, the very first thing I think, is to just become more intentional about consuming humor. You don't have to go become a comedian yourself, but just seek out things that genuinely amuse you. Whether it's a Kamini podcast, a Kamini on Netflix, or on tv, a lighthearted TV show, or you know, those funny clips that you might find on social media. Just those little humor breaks into your daily routine could help. And then practice humor, gratitude. And while that might sound really odd that I'm saying humor, gratitude, it's actually. Taking note of the things that were funny each day and genuinely acknowledging and being grateful for [00:06:00] those. Because what happens is you're creating a positive feedback loop and then share laughter, you know, positive humor thrives and connection. So forward. The funny reel or meme like my friend did to me, and, and also like actually plan on watching some of that Kamini together because sharing that laughter, again, connection, we're number one, but also the humor helps reduce the tension. Humor isn't just trivial entertainment. It's actually serious business. And when it comes to mental and emotional health, being intentional and incorporating humor into your daily life can actually significantly improve your resilience, um, improve your outlook and your overall sense of wellbeing. And let's be honest, life is so challenging as it is if we can use humor to help lighten the load. Why wouldn't we do it? So here is my challenge to you or my invitation to you is to commit to find something humorous in each of the days, like over the next week. Just each day try to find something humorous and laugh with intentionality. Give yourself permission to laugh often [00:07:00] and you know, give yourself permission to belly laugh if you are on the hunt to find, you know, support into. Having a deeper connection with yourself and to build your, and cultivate your resilience and you wanna explore how coaching could help you do that. I do invite you to head on over to coach with Kamini.com and book a time to chat and we can see how coaching could help support you into the next, the next level of whatever it is you're working on. Until next time, stay well.