Laughter is “inner jogging.” Norman Cousins
We love the people who make us laugh. Whether it’s the class clown, the funny guy at the office or a favorite, zany old Aunt, we value humor so highly that we even forgive those who tickle our funny bone their shortcomings, because of their “laugh factor,” because they make even annoying things humorous. The group just wants that person around–at a party to get it going, at a family gathering to insure that it will be fun and at the office to break tension–to turn annoying situations on their head or make a difficult boss more palatable. Humor keeps things in perspective, provides relief, gets us to see things in new lights and, yes, has tons of health benefits.
A coping and bonding mechanism
Laughter establishes–or restores–a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection among people. Dr. Robert Provine, professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, found that most of what makes people laugh is not thigh-slapper stuff, but conversational comments. “Laughter is not primarily about humor,” says Dr. Provine, “but about social relationships.” According to research on courting couples, men tend to be “laugh getters” and women the “laugh givers.” When we see some girl giggling at her boyfriend’s joke we’re actually watching eons of highly developed relational interaction, laughter as bonding to the sexes.
According to researcher Dr. Lisa Rosenberg, humor, especially dark humor, can help workers cope with stressful situations. “The act of producing humor, of making a joke, gives us a mental break and increases our objectivity in the face of overwhelming stress,” she says. The office jokester, class clown, or the sibling in the family that makes us laugh are highly prized by the group because we look to them to break mounting tension with a joke so that we can laugh, relieve some stress and begin to get our bodies back to normal.
Why we laugh
There are several theories on what laughter does for us. Here are three.
1) The incongruity theory suggests that humor arises when logic and familiarity are replaced by things that don’t normally go together. Researcher Thomas Veatch says a joke becomes funny when we expect one outcome and another happens. When a joke begins, our minds and bodies are already anticipating what’s going to happen and how it’s going to end. That anticipation takes the form of logical thought intertwined with emotion and is influenced by our past experiences and our thought processes. When the joke goes in an unexpected direction, our thoughts and emotions suddenly have to switch gears. In other words, we experience two sets of incompatible thoughts and emotions simultaneously. We experience this incongruity between the different parts of the joke as humorous. In this way humor teaches us to tolerate ambivalence.
2) The superiority theory comes into play when we laugh at jokes that focus on someone else’s mistakes, stupidity or misfortune. We feel superior to this person, experience a certain detachment from the situation and so are able to laugh at it.
3) The relief theory is the basis for a device movie-makers have used effectively for a long time. In action films or thrillers where tension is high, the director uses comic relief at just the right times. He builds up the tension or suspense as much as possible and then breaks it down slightly with a side comment, enabling the viewer to relieve himself of pent-up emotion, just so the movie can build it up again! Similarly, an actual story or situation creates tension within us. As we try to cope with two sets of emotions and thoughts, we need a release and laughter is the way of cleansing our system of the built-up tension and stress.
Tell a joke for your heart’s sake
Laughter is processed by the same parts of the brain that process sadness. Perhaps that’s why laughter lifts our spirits, not only does it require high order, integrated brain activity, but it has that magical ability to help sadness morph into other, less painful emotions. In any case, laughter really is good for the body, mind and soul so find something funny, tell a joke or laugh out loud at someone else’s humor. It’s heart smart!
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Laughter is Good for Our Health
Relaxes Our Muscles – Belly laughs result in muscle relaxation. While we laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh relax. After we finish laughing those muscles involved in the laughter start to relax. So, the releasing action takes place in two stages.
De-Stresses Our Stress Hormones - Laughter reduces at least four of the neuroendocrine hormones associated with the stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth hormone.
Conditions Our Heart - A belly laugh is equivalent to “internal jogging.” Laughter can provide good cardiac conditioning especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercises.
Lowers Our Blood Pressure- Women seem to benefit from laughter more than men in preventing hypertension.
Cleanses Our Lungs - Frequent belly laughter empties our lungs of more air than it takes in, resulting in a cleansing effect similar to deep breathing. This is especially beneficial for patients who are suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments.
Elevates Our Immune System- Clinical studies have shown that humor strengthens the immune system because of the positive body chemicals that it engenders.
Manages Our Pain -Humor allows us to “forget” about pains such as muscle aches and arthritis.
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Tian Dayton, Ph.D. is the author of Emotional Sobriety: From Relationship Trauma to Resilience and Balance, twelve other books and numerous articles. She is a national public speaker and frequent guest expert on TV and radio. www.tiandayton.com.
