Definition
They say laughter is the best medicine and what better way to make yourself laugh than to watch something funny? Whether you like cat videos, memes, or sit-coms, watching something funny can help reduce your stress hormone levels and improve your mood.
How to Do It
When you catch yourself starting to feel stressed, take a break to watch some funny videos online. You can look up videos designed to make you laugh, like “try not to laugh” videos or your favorite stand-up comic. Just a few minutes of this can drastically improve your mood.
Benefits
- May reduce stress
- May improve short term memory
- May improve immune system
- May improve mood
- May relax muscles
Time Commitment
5-10 minutes
Why it works
By making you laugh, funny videos can actually trigger a physiological reaction that includes a reduction in the level of cortisol in your body while increasing the amount of endorphins.
Cortisol is one of the hormones responsible for stress and many other issues. It’s the reduction in stress that is associated with improved mood and memory! In addition, the act of laughing causes your muscles to contract and then relax while taking in an increased amount of oxygen. This leaves your body feeling more relaxed physically and mentally.
Suggested Frequency
Daily or as needed
Supporting Studies and Articles
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-01085-003
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719285/
- https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/laughter-therapy
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
- https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f7274
Possible Side Effects
Spending too much time watching TV
Required Equipment
An internet connection and a screen
Gurus/Celebrities/Doing it
Christopher Walken
Jon Hamm
Kristin Bell
Suggested Time of Day
Anytime
Notes
Watching something funny means whatever you think is funny. If it makes you laugh, then it’s doing its job and your body and mind are getting the benefits.
