In consideration of National Humor Month, we’re myth-busting whether or not laughing can help you lose weight. Find out if laughter really is the best medicine when it comes to slimming your waistline and feeling your best.
Can Laughing Help You Lose Weight?
To answer the question, “Can laughing help you lose weight,” we need to understand what it is and what happens to your body when it happens. Essentially, laughing is a physical reaction that occurs in your body when something funny is said or done. It can be both voluntary and involuntary, but either way, it causes your body to burn calories by engaging your muscles and increasing your heart rate.
Now, let’s look at the different ways laughing can help you lose weight.
Burning Calories
You can consider laughing a natural cardiovascular exercise as it makes your heart rate go up, increases blood circulation to various organs and makes your abdominal muscles contract and release. According to Dr. Buchowski from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, when you laugh, and we mean belly laugh (for 10–15 minutes) you can burn anywhere from 10–40 calories. The large variance in calories burned accounts for variations in genetics and the degree to which someone laughs.
Lowering Cholesterol Levels
Studies also show that laughing is good for your heart. A good giggle can supposedly lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Considering high cholesterol is one of the main contributors to obesity and cardiovascular disease, it makes sense that lots of laughter could be a way to indirectly support your weight loss journey by reducing the risk of heart disease and improving overall well-being.
Lowering Cortisol Levels
Stress can be one of the main obstacles for many people when it comes to losing weight. That’s because it can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone associated with weight gain, especially around the abdominal area. It probably comes as no surprise that stimulating your giggle box acts as a natural stress reliever that helps lower cortisol levels and alleviate tension.
Proven Effects of Laughter Yoga
Laughter yoga is a unique practice that combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing techniques. It’s gained much popularity for its holistic approach to health and well-being. Research shows that laughter yoga can benefit weight loss by improving your mood, reducing stress, and increasing physical activity. On top of the already great benefits of yoga, introducing laughter yoga into your routine could be a new, fun way to help you feel and look your best!
A Powerful Tool for Overall Health
Incorporating laughter into your daily life isn’t just about having a good time—it’s a powerful tool for weight loss and overall health. Whether you get your laughs spontaneously by spending time with friends or family or intentionally by trying laughter yoga or going to a comedy show, making laughter a priority in your wellness journey can produce a host of positive effects like lightening your mood, strengthening your body, and paving the way for lasting weight loss success.