The Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a 15-year follow-up study to look into the factors that enable someone to live longer, with one outstanding finding.
They analysed the data of 53,556 participants in the population-based Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway.
Associations with all-cause mortality, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, infections, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases were measured.
In addition, the cognitive, social and affective components of a person’s sense of humour were obtained.
Interestingly, women who reportedly had a great sense of humour were less likely to die from any type of disease than those with a shoddy sense of humour.
This trend wasn’t observed in men, but men with a good sense of humour were less likely to die from an infection than men who didn’t know how to have a good time.
The positive association between a sense of humour and survival was present until the age of 85.
The researchers noted: “The findings indicate that a sense of humour is a health-protecting cognitive coping resource.”
It would suggest that laughing is the gateway to longer life, and research proves it’s no joke.
The Mayo Clinic added that “laughter is a great form of stress relief” with short-term and long-term positive effects.
In the short term, laughing stimulates many organs – enhancing the intake of oxygen-rich air, and increasing the endorphins in your brain.
It’s said laughter can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, making you feel good afterwards.
Over the long term, regular laughter can improve your immune system by promoting the release of neuropeptides.
Neuropeptides help protect the body against stress and potentially more serious illnesses.
Laughter releases endorphins – the body’s natural painkiller – which can only be a good thing.
Did you know that humour can be learned? Refining and developing humour is easily achievable.
The first step is to “put humour on your horizon”, which means putting things you find funny in sight.
This could be as simple as playing photos, greeting cards or funny books that make you laugh up in your home.
If you’re facing a difficult or irritating problem, force a laugh if you have to.
There’s a reason laughing yoga is growing in popularity – what was once forced laughter can turn into spontaneous laughter.
Make it a habit to spend time with people who tickle your funny bone, and hopefully you make others laugh too.
Why not give laughter a go right now in this moment? Turn the corners of your mouth up into a smile.
Now give a little laugh (even if forced)… how do you feel? Try it again, is it working?
If you’d like to add more years onto your life, laughing needs to be a key ingredient.
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