"A day without laughter is a day wasted," said famous English comic actor Charlie Chaplin, emphasising the importance of laughter in our lives. Laughter is a psychological response to amusement, delight, humour and joy.
People tend to think that they laugh only when they are happy. But it is a two way street. People laugh because they are happy, and laughing causes their brain to release dopamine, which makes them happier. A happy person is the most desirable person. Happiness looks beautiful on everyone; regardless of race, colour and gender.
The knot between human beings and laughter develops even before a person is born. As children, people tend to laugh hundred times a day; but as adults, life happens to be more serious and laughter less frequent.
Laughter works like magic to the physical health of a person. It relaxes the whole body and boosts the immune system. Laughter promotes the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow which can help one combat heart attack and other cardiovascular complications. Cherry on top, laughter burns calories as well. Laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories which could be enough for someone to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.
By seeking out more opportunities for humour and laughter, one can improve emotional health, strengthen relationships, find greater happiness, and even add years to their lives. Laughter makes almost everything better. It changes one's perspective instantly and allows a person to see situations being calm and realistic.
Laughter purifies the soul. The very moment when someone is laughing, s/he is unable to possess any evil thought. It stops distressing emotions like anger, jealousy, revenge, etc. Laughter helps to avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict.
The healing properties of laughter have been extolled since biblical times. In the book of Proverbs in the Bible, one can always find this advice- "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Laughter therapy advocates that laughing is what helps people get rid of their own masks of fear and pain. It helps people ascend to their best selves. A few hearty chuckles go a long way to cure body and soul.
"I have obnoxious and loud laughter, some people say to me. But that never stopped me from laughing in front of people. I believe laughter radiates good energy and happiness. When you laugh frequently, you tend to be happier, and when you are happy yourself, you tend to make others happy. See, it's a chain!" shared SharikaTabassum, a student of Women and Gender Studies at University of Dhaka.
Laughter has amazing social power as it develops instant intimacy with others. When a group of people laughs at the same joke or humour, they get caught up in the same energy and bond instantly. This is why public speakers or comedians try to get a laugh to make audience feel psychologically connected to them, to create intimacy.
People laugh more when they are surrounded by other people. A paper published in Sage Journal in 2004 revealed that people are 30 times more likely to laugh in groups than by themselves.
If thought deeply, it is very evident that all the efforts and huddles of life are done to serve a simple purpose-- to survive and to be happy. Survival might need very tactical moves, but steps to make oneself happy is much easier. It begins with a smile. Hence, as William Shakespeare wrote, the motto of life should be, "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
The writer is a fourth year student of Geography and Environment at University of Dhaka.
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