Pain is no joke, but as it turns out jokes actually relieve pain. If you laugh until it hurts, you will actually hurt less, because laughter spurs the release of endorphins. And sharing good humor with others provides even greater relief, according to researchers at Oxford University.
And the pain-relieving effect isn’t just limited to physical pain. Those suffering from emotional distress also benefit from laughter.
A good belly laugh is contagious and spreads cheer among others. Sharing good humor provides a powerful antidote to the feelings of loneliness that often beset those enduring a painful trial, whether it’s physical or emotional.
Laughter also creates an emotional connection as it disarms our defenses, causing us to feel closer to those who share in the laughter. This is true even among strangers watching a hilarious movie at the local theater. That’s good news for those suffering chronic pain, as sufferers often feel a sense of isolation.
In the absence of spontaneous hilarity, you can use therapeutic laughter. Force a laugh and before you know it, you are experiencing the real thing. And as it turns out, laughing for no particular reason carries the same therapeutic benefit as unprompted laughter.
So how do you get your body to produce those pain-relieving all-natural endorphins? Smile at life’s crazy turns, laugh with others and find humor in the antics of children and animals. And, don’t forget to laugh at yourself. Before you know it, that nagging pain has eased off a bit, and you now have a genuine reason to smile.