New Life Ministries

Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” And, friend, that’s no joke! When we’re in pain or feeling sick, our sense of humor often abandons us. But it’s during these very circumstances that’more than ever’we need laugher in our lives. Consider these findings:

1. Humor has been shown to lower blood pressure.

2. Studies show humor strengthens the immune system. When you laugh, your body actually raises levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins, and B-cells that produce disease-destroying antibodies.

3. Laughter’s good for your heart! According to Dr. Paul McGhee, laughing is like ‘internal jogging.’

4. Frequent belly laughs help your respiratory system. When you laugh, your lungs empty good portions of air, producing a cleansing effect.

5. Laughter has been shown to reduce stress and even pain. Ironically, when you’re feeling stressed or in pain, you don’t often feel like laughing, but laughter actually works to reduce your pain and stress.

6. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain, which increases learning and retention. Incorporate humor when teaching your kids and you’ll find they get the message quicker and will remember it longer.

7. Laughter results in muscle relaxation.

8. Humor is a great coping device. When the kids are driving you crazy, work seems unbearable, yet another home appliance breaks, look for humor in the situation. It will not only help you get through the situation, it’ll give you renewed focus and strength.

9. Humor relieves tension. We’ve all been in situations where everyone is uncomfortable and subsequently relieved when someone makes a joke.

10. Appropriate humor builds relationships. When people laugh together, a connection is made. Great friendships are often built when two people endure difficult circumstances only to look back with laughter. On the other hand, humor can help you understand others. Listen closely to someone’s humor and you may gain insight into his or her fears.

11. This good medicine is free! It costs nothing, yet its benefits are priceless.

“Humor and Health Journal,” September/October 1996

Need some life changing laughter in your life? Join us at our next New Life Weekend.