Change your body chemistry with a laugh?
Change your body chemistry with a laugh? Think it’s impossible?
Think again! All our emotions, every little feeling, has an impact on our body’s chemical composition! What you see here are the effects of anxiety, depression, love, happiness… Impressive, isn’t it?
Change your body chemistry with a laugh? Yes, you can!
Depression, anger, anxiety, love, good mood… watch the tubes fill up or empty. It’s not science fiction at all! hahaha! (although how you can make a little graph that moves is a mystery to me…)
Do you know your hormones?
First, dopamine. It’s an important neurotransmitter involved in many of our body’s systems. See an interesting video to explain its action more scientifically.
Serotonin is a central nervous system chemical messenger involved in a number of physiological functions such as sleep, aggression, eating and sexual behavior, as well as depression.
Among other things, the serotonin/dopamine balance ensures mood stability.
Oxytocin is often referred to as the love hormone! After a long hug, its level rises. It’s associated with empathy, trust and interpersonal relationships.
One of the hormones illustrated here is missing: endorphins. Endorphins are hormones secreted in the brain when we exert ourselves with moderate or vigorous intensity (De Matos et al., 2009). These neurotransmitters play several important roles. Indeed, when endorphin levels rise, the body allows our negative emotions and sensations to take a breather, fostering the emergence of a good mood and a sense of well-being. Not only does the secretion of these hormones contribute to well-being and pleasant sensations, they also influence the perception of pain and stress (De Matos et al., 2009). This chemical is said to have an anxiolytic effect, i.e. a substance that reduces sensitivity to anxiety and stress (reference on http://www.centrecircuit.com/fr/Pour-les-familles/Blogue/Juillet-2017/La-magie-des-endorphines).
We know that laughter has an impact on the secretion of all these hormones. We also know that laughter reduces the concentration of adrenalin and cortisol (the main stress hormones) in our bodies.
The result? Less of what’s associated with the effects of stress – tension, discomfort, illness. More of what makes you relaxed and happy!
So, what do you think? Do you believe, as I do, that laughing more is totally appropriate as a joyful prescription?
Looking for a little extra laughter – even if you’re alone? It’s been proven that hearing laughter predisposes us to laugh.
I remember when my cousin and I were teenagers, we played a “game”. One of our aunts had a tape recorder and she lent it to us for a little while. So my cousin and I would take turns going into the bathroom and recording ourselves. I often sang and told stories. Her? She laughed! To this day, I still remember the physical sensation of the mega giggle that followed! Laughing so hard to hear her laugh, to see us laughing together! It felt so good!
Then today’s “Good mood” tip will give you an idea to stimulate your laughter!
Do you? Yes? and tell me how it worked out for you!
Laughter, joy and health
HAHAMasté
Linda