It’s amazing how a good laugh can immediately change the atmosphere in a room or even bring a sense of calm, relaxation and relief to oneself. Some researchers believe that laughter is the best medicine but there hasn’t been any definitive research or scientific test to support this notion. Nonetheless, we can safely say that based on personal experience and observation, laughter does more good than harm.
Over the last few decades, researchers have observed that laughter has physical health, mental health and social benefits.
It was observed that laughter boosts immunity, lowers stress hormones, decreases pain, relaxes muscles, burns calories and can aid in the prevention of heart disease. On the mental health side, it was observed that laughter adds joy and zest to life, eases anxiety and fear, improves one’s mood and enhances resilience. On the social side, laughter strengthens relationships, attracts others to us, enhances teamwork and helps defuse conflict.
Webmd.com referenced a study of 19 people with diabetes and looked at the effects of laughter on their blood sugar levels. The diabetics ate a meal and then attended a tedious lecture after which their blood sugar levels were tested. The following day, they were given the same meal and then allowed to watch a comedy. After the comedy had ended, the blood sugar levels were lower than after the lecture.
Less effort to smile
All laughter begins with a smile and it has been said that it takes more muscles to frown than it takes to smile. One article says it takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, while another says it takes 62 to frown and 26 to smile. Regardless of the numbers, it takes way less effort to smile than it does to frown. Try it for yourself and you will see.
When was the last time you had a good laugh? I have included a story below and I hope it causes you to laugh till you cry. Enjoy.
Three bulls hear via the grapevine that the rancher is going to bring another bull onto the ranch, and the prospect raises a discussion among them.
The first bull says: “Boys, we all know I’ve been here five years. Once we settled our differences, we agreed on which 100 of the cows would be mine. Now, I don’t know where this newcomer is going to get his cows, but I ain’t givin’ him any of mine.”
The second bull says: “That pretty much says it for me, too. I’ve been here three years and have earned my right to the 50 cows we’ve agreed are mine. I’ll fight ’im till I run him off or kill ’im, but I’m keepin’ all my cows.”
The third bull says: “I’ve only been here a year, and so far you guys have only let me have ten cows to ‘take care of’. I may not be as big as you fellows yet, but I am young and virile, so I simply must keep all my cows.”
They had just finished their big talk when an 18-wheeler pulls up in the middle of the pasture with only one animal in it: the biggest son-of-another-bull these guys have ever seen. At 4 700 pounds, each step he takes towards the ground strains the steel ramp to the breaking point.
The first bull says: “Ahem . . . You know, it’s actually been some time since I really felt I was doing all my cows justice, anyway. I think I can spare a few for our new friend.”
The second bull says: “I’ll have plenty of cows to take care of if I just stay on the opposite end of the pasture from him. I’m certainly not looking for an argument.”
They look over at their young friend, the third bull, and find him pawing the dirt, shaking his horns and snorting up a storm.
The first bull says: “Son, let me give you some advice real quick. Let him have some of your cows and live to tell about it.”
The third bull says: “Heck, he can have all my cows. I’m just making sure he knows I’m a bull.”
• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. Email coreyworrell@gmail.com.