We have all heard of the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”. Well here is why. Laughter as a form of self care and love which can be seen to harness the power of improving your health in these following ways;

Laughter relaxes the whole body.

A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system.

It decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins. 

The body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. 

It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter burns calories. 

It is no replacement for riding or physical activity, but a study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories, which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. 

Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.

Laughter may even help you to live longer. 

A study found that people with a strong sense of humour outlived those who don’t laugh as much.

I believe that we can somewhat control and cultivate our own happiness through the use of self care.

Research has shown that there has been a direct link noted between laughter and mental health, hence, highlighting this topic within the equestrian industry and afar since the launch of the HAY Campaign, I wish to conclude with these last few points for readers to digest and take away:

Laughter stops distressing emotions, it helps you relax and recharge. 

It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. 

A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict.

Stress can come in various forms and crop up at different stages of the day, week, month and year. As horse owners we have several stressful situations we have to act and deal with. As riders and competitors we have all sorts of stress levels. It is how we first identify stress, the triggers, secondly, how we manage stress, what strategies we put in place to support ourselves and those around us. This topic will be further discussed and explored through our wonderful writers and members of the Management Team over the course of the month of April. 

The facts are very interesting to research into, even smiling can somewhat reduce stress and aid towards stress management. Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental, physical and emotional health. So imagine the impact this would have upon your outlook within certain circumstances?