Serious side to laughter

Giggles do us good and it is in our best interests to laugh more as we age, Tanith Carey finds

- Tanith Carey

Good giggles and belly laughs are harder to come by as we get older. If you remember roaring with laughter more when you were a child, you're probably right as research shows we drop off a humour cliff in our early 20s.

While children laugh around 300 to 400 times a day, by the time we reach early adulthood, it drops to just 15 times a day, according to a review article in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

In today's world, worrying about global events and the cost of living means it's easier than ever to get out of the habit. But seeking out opportunities for a hearty guffaw could be the quickest way to feel better, both mentally and physically.

Studies show genuine laughter acts as a release valve for stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, which build up over time when we feel on edge. At the same time, a good laugh triggers the release of feel-good brain chemicals, including the bonding hormone oxytocin and pain-killing opioids, which help regulate mood and improve our ability to cope.

Having a good laugh is good for our bodies too

As well as providing immediate mood-boosting benefits, laughing more can have a range of long-term physical advantages for our health. When you have a good laugh, it's like a workout for your heart and lungs.

It helps reduce blood pressure, boosts circulation, and relaxes blood vessels.

A 2020 Japanese study involving more than 17,000 people under 40 found those who laughed less were "significantly" more likely to develop heart disease and die sooner.

When we have a side-splitting belly laugh, the up-and-down movement of our ribcage also releases pain-killing endorphins, easing aches and pains. Laughter can also help fight illness by boosting your immune system.

Research by California's Loma Linda University found that men who watched comedy videos for an hour had more infection-fighting antibodies and natural killer cells in their blood afterwards.