The “Good Medicine” in Laughter
by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.

The following article was published in the Stillwater News Press on September 11, 2002.

Laughter is the universal language that symbolizes joy or happiness and often a response to something amusing. The expression of laughter can range from sounds of loud vocal outburst to quiet chuckles that involve facial and bodily movement. Is there good medicine in laughter? If you are spiritual, you may have read in Proverbs 17:22 that: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed or angry spirit dries up the bones”

How can you cheer an angry person? Case Situation: You have a wife who is angry, or mad, to the point that she refuses to talk, (my wife has been this angry on some occasions). If you are concerned about the social and health consequences of her anger, making her laugh might be the best medicine to loosen tension and initiate the dialogue that would erase the anger and later restore health for the family. What can you do in the above case situation? Try the “incongruity theory of laughter”; which states that people laugh when they observe things appear together, that do not normally go well together. Example: with the angry wife, the “incongruity theory of laughter can be applied like this: in a surprise mood, show-up at the dinner table wearing her nightgown (if it fits) and insist on keeping it on till the end of the dinner; - husband in wife’s nightgown! two things that are not expected together. This will likely generate a big laugh. Based on the same theory, you may also try this: put a piece of masking tape over your reading glasses, walk to the dinner table and pretend to read an interesting newspaper article to your angry wife, and children if applicable (masking tape over reading glasses- two things that normally do not appear or expected together; this can also generate a big laugh or chuckle that can loosen the angry wife’s tension. You should thereafter discuss the cause of the anger, and lo and behold, will reap the emotional-health benefit of laughter.

How does laughter lead to good health? Laughter helps us release negative emotions, which when held inside may cause biochemical changes that produce illness. Situations that stimulate laughter differ from one culture to another; hence situation and event that produce laughter in one culture might be offensive in another culture.

Are there interesting research findings about laughter? Yes!, and here is a list: less than 20% of laughter is related to jokes; people are more likely to laugh in groups than when alone; women laugh more often than men; most laughter is in the context of regular conversation, rather than in attempts to stimulate laughs; Speakers laugh more than listeners; males are leading producers of humor; females are the leading laughers; laughter produces activities in cells that attacks viruses and tumor cells, hence frequent laughers are healthier than frequent frowners; it takes 72 muscles to frown and 14 to laugh, hence laughers look younger than frowners; bad feelings lead to bad habits, people with bad feelings frown more and laugh less; people who look at the bright side of things, laugh more often and are healthier; laughing is contagious; those who laugh or smile, make others laugh or smile.

What are other benefits of laugher? Reduction of stress hormones and stress-like symptoms; decrease risk for blood clots, heart attack and stroke; improve immune system to fight off infections; lowered blood pressure and prevention of hypertension; improves respiration, due to the large volume of air exchanged in the laughing process (it is an internal workout); prevention of life-threatening illnesses, and improved circulation which enables the body to look healthier and younger.

What are social and psychological health benefits of laughter? Laughter is a social glue (improves bonding), those who laugh more attract more friends in their lives; improves communications and closeness (people like to be around those who can make them laugh, since laughing lubricates conversation); serves as channel for harmless release of emotions; provides other perspectives in tough times, and increases socialization and enhances communication

How can you make yourself to laugh more often? Practice the three Rs:

1. Remind yourself to look for something humorous in your life and from others;
2. Remember the humor when it occurs; and
3. Retell what happened to someone else.

Individuals who are more relaxed and spontaneous, laugh more, cause the most laughs, are more creative, and often have more friends; they are also healthier, live longer, and also more likely to have healthier marriages. Note: Situations that produce laughter differ from culture to culture, hence as you practice the three Rs, to enjoy “the good medicine” in laughter, try to be culturally sensitive, and never, never make fun of others by laughing at them.