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<\/p>\nThey say laughter is the\u00a0best\u00a0medicine, but where do you get it? At the Ha-spital…<\/p>\n
A laugh\u00a0may seem like something small,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0can\u00a0improve your mental health in a big way. While we all experience mental health differently, laugher has the potential\u00a0to be the cheapest and easiest mood booster available.<\/p>\n
Here are some ways that laughter has been shown to improve mental health:<\/p>\n
Our brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters,\u00a0two of which are dopamine and serotonin.\u00a0Our bodies naturally produce these chemicals when we laugh,\u00a0and therefore\u00a0can\u00a0improve\u00a0our mood\u00a0\u2013 that’s pretty dope-amine!<\/p>\n
Integrating opportunities for laughter throughout your\u00a0day\u00a0can\u00a0have\u00a0long-term effects\u00a0on\u00a0reducing your anxiety\u00a0and improving your wellbeing!\u00a0Individuals who participated in\u00a0laughter therapy\u00a0for 6-8 weeks reported reduced levels of overall anxiety.\u00a0By laughing more, you can see positive long-term effects.<\/p>\n
The world can be a stressful place, and sometimes\u00a0it feels as though we are always looking for ways to relax. Laughter is a free and easy way to do just that.\u00a0Laughing after a stressful day at\u00a0work can\u00a0allow us to let that tension go and relax for the evening.\u00a0Laughter can also improve sleep quality which is so vital to our mental health.\u00a0Some studies suggest\u00a0that\u00a0putting\u00a0sugar under your pillow before you go to sleep\u00a0can\u00a0increase your likelihood of\u00a0sweet dreams.<\/p>\n
Having strong relationships\u00a0and\u00a0the feeling of\u00a0connectedness\u00a0is\u00a0integral to\u00a0our\u00a0overall wellbeing.\u00a0The connection we have\u00a0with others is\u00a0strengthened\u00a0through laughter and is a positive force in many relationships. Since relationships are so important to our mental health improving\u00a0connections by laughing with the ones you love can reap many benefits.<\/p>\n
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We\u00a0all deal\u00a0with\u00a0stressful\u00a0situations in\u00a0our lives, whether it is work, school, a pandemic… all of it is impactful. It can be hard to find humour\u00a0in life and\u00a0opportunities to laugh. Here are some ways to fit a\u00a0chuckle into your busy schedule:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0<\/strong>Do what you love\u00a0\u2013 Add more fun activities to your day! What is something that makes you smile? What were you doing the last time you laughed so hard you couldn\u2019t breathe? Incorporate these activities into\u00a0your life.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0<\/strong>Find\u00a0humour\u00a0–\u00a0In difficult situations it\u00a0can be hard to find a moment to laugh,\u00a0but shifting perspective can bring\u00a0humour\u00a0into your life. Sometimes, the best way to move forward from a difficult situation is to laugh at yourself!<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0<\/strong>Smile\u00a0– Smiling can release many similar emotions like laughter,\u00a0and like laughter, it is contagious. Smile at a coworker or someone you pass on the street to bring a bit more joy to yourself and those around you.\u00a0A smile a day can keep the doctor away!<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0<\/strong>Find people who make you laugh\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Finding a friend, family member or coworker that has the same sense of\u00a0humour\u00a0as you can bring more laughter into your life. Find ways to spend more time with these people\u00a0\u2013 get coffee with one of your best-TEAs!\u00a0Online forums or websites might also be full of others who enjoy similar jokes. Interact with these people and find ways to laugh with them.<\/p>\n As you find more ways to include laughter in your life, you will start to realize that there are many easy and creative pathways to finding joy. Continue on this journey to allowing yourself to laugh at the small things to make a big difference in your wellbeing.<\/p>\n Sorry for all the medical puns, they aren\u2019t always funny, especially\u00a0if\u00a0you have an irony deficiency.<\/p>\n