Live Longer with Laughter
Happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers, according to more than 160 studies. One lead author, University of Illinois Psychology Professor Ed Diener, summarized his findings by stating: “The general conclusion from each type of study is that your subjective well-being—that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed—contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations.”
The cardiovascular system is our Achilles heel when it comes to health, as the leading cause of death is heart disease. Studies of artery health focus on how well the cells that line the arteries function. These cells are called endothelial cells and they control blood pressure and keep cholesterol from oxidizing and making plaque. Many cardiac studies look at endothelial function as the marker for arterial health.
Japanese research in the “American Journal of Cardiology” shows that mirthful laughter increases beneficial endothelial function. Participants watching a comedy had positive markers of endothelial health while those watching a serious documentary had a decline in artery health.
A study from the “Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine” called “The divergent effects of joyful and anxiety-provoking music on endothelial vasoreactivity” showed that listening to joyful music was good for artery health while anxiety-inducing music was bad for the arteries. Self-selected joyful music was associated with increased endothelial function to a magnitude previously observed with aerobic activity or statin drug therapy. Listening to joyful music might be an adjunctive lifestyle intervention for the promotion of vascular health.
An interesting study called “Effects of laughing and weeping on mood and heart rate variability” points out that laughing has strong but transient effects on the autonomic nervous system, while weeping or feeling sad has moderate but sustained effects on it. It seems that having a “heavy heart” does have physiologic significance.
Laughter has been shown to benefit the immune system by increasing protective natural killer cells that help fight infection while lowering both the stress hormone cortisol and the inflammatory marker interleukin-6. Laughter will increase beneficial growth hormone, the anti-aging hormone that helps keep us young. Patients with cancer and other terminal illnesses benefit from laughter and show an improved outlook, less pain and longer survival.
A study looking at the effect of humor on the well-being of nursing home residents showed that upon completion of a humor therapy program, there were significant decreases in pain and perceptions of loneliness, and significant increases in happiness and life satisfaction. The use of humor therapy appears to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention. The authors suggest that health care professionals incorporate humor in caring for their patients.
As science continues to tease out the exact mechanisms of how laughter improves health, we can rest assured that it works. In the bleakest of times, with both psychological and physical stress, good humor and a positive attitude are potent tools to help us along. While happiness might not prevent or cure disease by itself, the evidence that positive emotions and enjoyment of life contribute to better health and a longer lifespan is stronger than the data linking obesity to reduced longevity.
The scripture teaches that “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (proverbs 17:22) and it turns out science supports this notion. Good humor really is good medicine.
Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. To schedule an appointment at the Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center, located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7, call 970-245-6911. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.