Why Laughter Is Good For The Soul

Written by: Dr. Josephine Harris, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

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Could you believe that science ultimately caught up with the Bible, revealing that laughter is good for the mind, body, and soul? Did you know that laughter is such a remedy that it is even mentioned in the Bible (Proverbs 17: 22; ESV)? Did you know laughter brings people closer together? Did you know laughter is the best way to improve your mood and emotional/physical well-being? Did you know laughter is priceless medicine? Did you know laughter can help relieve pain, brings greater happiness, as well as increase immunity?

Laughter is connected to your mind, body, and soul

The true medicine for every ailment. When was the last time you had a really good laugh? I mean getting really deep down in soul laugh, not just a “ha-ha” or a small chuckle, but a laugh that makes you snort-induced, all-out, ab-tensing, stomach-hurt laugh.

Life can be so serious at times—bills, family or health concerns, and stressors from home-life or work do not just provoke roaring laughter. But it just like exercise; getting your daily dose of laughter is one of those efforts. It does not require a diagnosis, a doctor’s prescription, nor money is involved, it is available 24/7, and it is diet-free. I bet that sounds too good to be true!

“A joyful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). It says a joyful heart has a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15), and it promises that although you may weep now, you will one day laugh again (Luke 6:21). This all that the Bible tells us, but now science confirms it—laughter is the medicine to your body, mind, and soul.

God filled our mouths with laughter and our lips with shouts of joy!

The best news is that you can decide to laugh every day, and as you do, you will rake in these five reasons why laughter is good for the soul

1. Lower your blood pressure

Laughter is another way of treating blood pressure diseases. Laughter increases the oxygen in your body and increases blood flow in the body. When you exercise and laugh, you also increase the blood flow in the brain—enabling God’s healing mechanism and preventing sickness.

2. It enhances T-Cells

T-cell is a type of lymphocyte that develops in the thymus gland and plays a vital role in the immune response, laughter boosts various glands, and one of them is the thymus gland. This enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system.

3. It enhances your mental well-being

Laughter releases endorphins, which are responsible for natural chemicals in the body that release endorphins, and dopamine, which endorphins promote a sense of well-being and relieve stress. It also decreases anger and eases distressing emotions, which counteracts feelings of anxiety and sadness. Additionally, it helps us to release other intense emotions, such as grief or break-up.

4. Help you burn calories

Laughing burns calories by causing your heart rate to fall 10 to 12 percent. A study implemented in 2014 in the International Journal of Obesity found that laughter can burn calories. These researchers had 45 participants into two groups; in fact, half of the group watched film clips intended to evoke laughter, and the other half just watched clips that stimulated laughter. They determine that laughter can burn up to 10 calories in the minutes the group watches the film clips, compared to the other group. Moreover, you burn calories when you laugh. Wow, that is how powerful laughter is, an effective weight-loss agent!

5. It strengthens your spirit

When you laugh in the spirit, there is something happening that meets the eye. There are angels involved. You win victories. The Bible calls it a form of prayer. Laughter is the spirit of a faith response by your spirit to our god's victory through Christ over the devil. You should. You could. You ought to laugh out loud and rejoice in the spirit!

These are the five keys of laughter, and all are worthy of laughing and rejoicing! The best part? You do not have to pay; it is free of charge, easy, fun, and without any regrets. Take all of this in and listen to what the Bible says—spend time developing a cheerful heart. Find things that make you laugh and involve them in your daily activities. Think about healthy. You can laugh yourself into healthy living through your—mind, body, and soul.

Want to learn more from Dr. Josephine? Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website.

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Dr. Josephine Harris, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Modern-day superheroes are not the ones we familiarize in motion pictures, but rather the quintessential professionals, gifted with a sharp sense of servant leadership, willing to show up greatly; in the lives of those who need it most. Yielded to this profound ethic; is the multifaceted advocate, Dr. Josephine Harris.

Dr. Josephine Harris is a two times # 1 Amazon bestselling author, philanthropist, behavior analyst, serial entrepreneur, and CEO/Founder of Calming Minds LLC, a multidimensional coaching practice, helping clients to connect with the mind, body, and soul by way of inspiration, facilitation, coaching, and other dynamic mechanisms. Bringing a vast portfolio of uncompromising skill sets and certifications to her practice within the realms of Addiction Counseling, Intervention programming, Domestic Violence, individual and group psychotherapy, and many more; Dr. Josephine Harris proves herself to be an ideal collaborator; and one of the many reasons, she has earned outstanding respect, from those she serves.

Dr. Harris’ mantra is simple: She is inherently committed to the emboldening of women, particularly military spouses, facilitating for them all an opportunity of hope. Whether it be through transformational messages of professional and/or personal growth, Dr. Harris was born to encourage, motivate, and empower women of all cultures.