Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” We have all heard many old sayings about laughter and our health. These old sayings are still around because they are true. Laughter is one exercise that involves the whole body. And the really unique thing is you have to have another person involved, either firsthand or in your head. Try to tickle yourself; it just does not work. Tell yourself an original joke, and it just is not funny. But if someone else tickles you or has told you a joke, it is difficult not to laugh. God gave us the ability to laugh. Consider what Sarah said in Genesis 17:16 about finding herself pregnant at age 90. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” God went on to promise Sarah that she would be the “Mother of Nations.” Many times in the Bible, God shows a certain sense of humor and allows us to enjoy laughter. God made all things, and everything God makes is good. God made laughter, and it should be considered a true gift. Laughter is an excellent way to express our emotions, change our attitude, show our happiness and joy, and share our feelings with those around us. Laughter is truly a blessing from God.
There have been countless studies on how laughter and humor affect the body. Doctors, psychologists, and neurologists have different ideas about how laughter works, but they tend to agree that it affects the whole body. Laughter relieves stress and allows the body to relax. A person involved in laughter sees their stress hormones decrease and their immune system kick in, increasing antibodies and improving disease resistance. Laughter serves as a light workout, burning calories and directly engaging the diaphragm muscles. A person can actually lose weight if they regularly laugh for 30-40 minutes each day. People who laugh generally feel better and enjoy life because laughter causes the brain to produce more dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which are all chemicals that create a sense of joy and well-being. If these chemicals are produced over a longer period, they can actually reduce pain. The relaxed state and the muscle action caused by laughter are actually good for the heart. Many cardiologists recommend laughter as a part of good heart health. Laughter can also be a means of promoting peace between individuals. Have you ever tried to stay mad at someone when you laugh with them? Many doctors and studies suggest that laughter, a good attitude, and a sense of humor can help a person live longer than someone who does not enjoy them. Now try to think of any drug, food, or program that has all these positive effects on people. Laughter is truly a gift from God.
“When we are happy, we smile or laugh. When we are sad, we sob, we cry. The interesting thing is that when we pretend to cry or laugh — actors do this all the time — the feelings associated with these bodily changes well up. In these difficult times, conscious laughter may be just the ticket to feeling more optimistic and cheerful.” (Verney, 2022) Stress and severe sadness cause our circulatory system to tighten and restrict, causing a strain on the heart. Stress and severe sadness can cause stomach acid, eventually causing ulcers and gastric problems. Our attitude and disposition affect the whole body, not just what is in our head. “Laughter is a normal and natural physiologic response to certain stimuli with widely acknowledged psychological benefits. However, current research suggests that laughter may also have significant positive physiological effects on those who engage in it regularly. Providers who prescribe laughter to their patients in a structured way may be able to use these natural, free, and easily distributable positive benefits. (Brook, 2016) Throughout his career, Sigmund Freud sought to understand why people acted as they did and what caused their emotions. Freud developed a theory that allowed a person to release negative energy and relax, which he called “psychic energy release.” It has been found that having good humor and enjoying laughter help with job satisfaction, help resolve conflicts, improve communication skills, increase creativity, and generally improve a person’s overall life. Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
Brook, K. (2016, 6 23). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from The Laughter Prescription: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125057/Copeland. (1997).
Kenneth Copeland %%. Retrieved from 25 Scriptures About Laughter and Joy: https://www.kcm.org/real-help/life-work/believe/25-scriptures-about-laughter-and-joy?language_content_entity=en-USVerney, T. (2022, 14).
Psychology Today. Retrieved from Laughing Your Way to Health and Joy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/explorations-the-mind/202201/laughing-your-way-health-and-joy