Sunday, April 19, 2009

Laughter ... The Best Medicine, And Sexy Too

Question: If stress is bad for us, and weakens our immune systems, can laughter be good for us and make us healthy? Apparently so. A couple of recent studies have shown that a good belly laugh not only helps us mentally, but it helps us physiologically as well. When people laugh, anxiety levels go down, and good cholesterol -- HDL -- goes up. Laughing relaxes us and improves our mood. The curative power of laughter has been known for centures, and Aristotle said, "Laughter is a bodily exercise precious to health."

In 1988 a German social psychologist from the University of Würzburg conducted a study with some volunteers. Half of the volunteers were asked to hold a pen between their teeth, thereby creating an artificial smile. The other half of the volunteers were asked to hold the pen in their lips, thereby creating an artificial look of disappointment. The volunteers holding the pen between their teeth felt happier, just by creating a smile. In other words, when we smile, we automatically feel more cheerful.

Laughing is also sexy. In another study done at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, "women are more likely to consider a man in a photograph a desirable relationship partner if the picture is accompanied by a funny quote attributed to him. In fact, the women preferred the funny men." In the alternative, men don't necessarily prefer witty women, but they do prefer women who laugh at men's jokes. Well, women have always known that, haven't we? The sexiest thing a man can have is a sense of humor. Women are more likely to fall in love with a man who can make them laugh.

I love to laugh, and I in fact have had my laugh tape-recorded. *sigh* Laughing is fun, it's free, and it's apparently good for us -- body and soul. Heard any good jokes lately?

40 comments:

Kym said...

No, I have not heard any really good jokes lately, but I love watching shows that just make me laugh so hard...I know that a good laugh is the best medicine, so when I have a particularly bad day, I hang out with my mini-me who always gives me a good laugh at her views on the world!

Hilary said...

A good sense of humour is the one thing shared by everyone in my life who is important to me. If you can make me laugh, you've already made your way into my heart. It's just such an essential part of the human package.

~Brittainy said...

Watching my family lately has given me a great many laughs. My almost 3 year is trying to be just like Daddy. Its cute!

A human kind of human said...

A very silly joke but it cracks me up. Read it aloud.

A duck walked into a bar and asked the barman: "Do you have bread?"

Barman: "No sir, we only serve drinks."

Duck: "Do you have bread?"

Barman: "No, we do not. This is a bar and we only serve drinks."

Duck: "Do you have bread?"

Barman (really irritated): "I told you we only serve drinks. If you ask again for bread I will nail your beak to this counter!"

Duck: "Do you have nails?"

Barnan: "No! we only have drinks!"

Duck: "Do you have bread?"

Have a happy day.

Jo said...

Kym, oh, yes, my Munchkins make me laugh too. They're so much fun, aren't they?

Hilary, the people I love the most are the ones who can make me laugh. Oh yes!

Brittainy, I read your post about the two of them dancing, and that made me *chuckle*.

A Human Kind of Human ... I love it!! Thank you for the giggle. :-)

Whitney Lee said...

If taken seriously, life can be rather tough. I learned early on that there are some things you must laugh at simply because the only alternative is to cry. Finding people that can help you see the humor in life and are happy to laugh with you is a necessity.
My husband and I may have occasional issues (what married couple doesn't?) but he made me laugh when I first met him and he'll still be making me laugh when we're 80. That, to me, is sexy as hell.

Faithful said...

Yes, indeed, laughter is the best medicine. I chose my husband largely because he made me laugh. I try and do the same for him now. I have a joke that gave me a LOL this am.. at my blog. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Interestingly, the guys who are really funny are the guy who have developed this funnyness because they think they don't have much else going for them. And, though women SAY they like a guy who makes them laugh, they never get romantic with the funny guy. They get romantic with the bad boy or the good looking boy or the powerful boy -- none of which have much of a sense of humour. Meanwhile the funny guy is their best friend.

Megs said...

Well, laughter must be the theme of the day! We had "Holy Humor" Sunday at church today - celebrating the gift of laughter, and when I got home I did my blog about laughter... And now I come to yours!
I have to admit - it made me chuckle a bit!

muthu said...

one of those humorous posts......



http://average-everyday.blogspot.com/2008/08/shopping-safari.html

Scoobyloves2004 said...

I love to laugh. I love the kind of laugh that either makes you cry or pee your pants. (I've done both..hahaha) However I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. That's pretty sad....Thanks for bringing that to my attention!!

Jo said...

Whitney, oh yes... If you can go through life together laughing, you have it made...! :-)

Faithful, if you chose your husband largely because he made you laugh, you are definitely in the majority!

XUP, oh, no. Thank goodness women leave the "bad boy" silliness behind when they leave school. The real men -- the sexy men -- are the ones who can make us laugh. One of the studies proved that laughing makes us feel sexier. That's funny, hey? So anyone who makes us laugh, makes us feel sexy. Humor and intelligence also go hand-in-hand.

Megs, that sounds wonderful !!! celebrating the gift of laughter. Oh yes, indeed! :-)

Muthu, *heh*

Arley, oh, gosh, you're long overdue for a good belly laugh, definitely!

Carol E. said...

Where do you find trees in Minnesota?
Between da twos and da fours.

Jo said...

Carol E, LOL!!

Leslie: said...

I could use a good laugh these days and I agree that a man with a great sense of humour is very sexy!

Russell said...

You know what I think is really sexy? A woman who says what she thinks and is not afraid to be just herself. I also find independence very appealing.

Oh, did I say witty and a sense of humor? And, of course, a woman who is a good audience is always extremely appealing to any man!

In reality, sexuality is in the mind and that stimulates the body.

Take care.

Cedar said...

A person without a good sense of humor is boring after about twenty minutes. I have to be with someone that can make me laugh. There is way too much serious crap going on in the world and laughter is our only salvation...wait and well made pudding. Laughter and well made white cake is our only salvation...and chocolate. Laughter well made white cake and chocolate. yeah that's it.

Cedar said...

Is it too late to add a nice Merlot?

white crow said...

but Jo, when a girl considers u funny, u get stuck in the fren zone...i think that way...
that is wat i think is happenin to me :(
girls find me funny, they call me cute, and then call me child like...(might be due to my not so matured looks)
there is still a ray of hope of being considered sexy after this post of yors.
and yes..i m wth XUP in this case.

muthu said...

White crow - I disagree with you.... You be funny but let your honest intentions be known, that way you will not end up always as a friend......

A gal always likes a girl who can make her laugh......

Miss_Nobody said...

Oh,I so agree!nothing like a good laugh.Ever been to a laughing club?When I go out for a morning walk I see these people gathered in the park in groups TRYING to laugh lol,imagine that laughing should come naturally.Like you said Jo,laughing is a good therapy.The existence of lauging clubs just proves that.
Did you know fishes can change their gender? ITs not a joke,but it made me laugh like crazy

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I also love to laugh and like to sit down and watch comedies on tv. My wife always just look at me funny when I sit here and laugh away at the show.
In todays world I just think we just tend not to laugh enough.

me, myself, I said...

I never remember jokes, sorry!
I find a great sense of humour to be the most attractive thing about people, far more important to me than good looks...
Similarly, I find people who take themselves too seriously to be quite often repulsive/a complete turn-off.
Great post - thanks for sharing :)

Deb said...

I really do believe laughter is the best medicine, when your feeling down in the dumps a good laugh really makes you feel better, I've been trying to watch more comedies and less dramas, it is amazing how much better it makes you feel.

Nancy said...

I remember that book "You can't afford a negative thought", and he said basically the same thing. Our bodies release so much good stuff when we laugh.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Laughter is sexy, eh? So I'm wasting my time trying to be cute?

jackc50 said...

laughter does alot of good things in this world and the people who can laugh at themselves first are the ones you should trust. remember, a little laughter goes a long way.....bye 4 now, jack c

Mary Ellen said...

Oh, I've always thought men who make me laugh are the sexiest!

I put up a new post today at Bad Habit, Jo...maybe it will give you a bit of a chuckle. Enjoy.

Paula Slade said...

I love a good joke, but problem is I don't tell jokes very well - generally midway through the telling I start laughing at the punchline. My audience doesn't enjoy it but I sure do! :)

Katalyst Ofmine said...

We could all use a few more laughs in life!

Donnetta said...

Josie: hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Hey, I'm up to 8 Followers now! I'm catching up! Woohoo! D

Nancy said...

Here is one that made me laugh.

Two batteries walk into a bar and the bartender says," O.K. I'll serve you guys, but don't start anything."

Mary Ellen said...

Here's a nun joke for you...(what did you expect coming from me???)

A man was brought to Mercy Hospital, and went in for coronary surgery. The operation went well, and as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy waiting by his bed. "Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," the nun said while patting his hand. "We do have to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?" "No, I'm not," the man whispered hoarsely. "Can you pay in cash?" "I'm afraid I can't, Sister." "Do you have any close relatives, then?" "Just my sister in New Mexico," replied, "but she's a spinster nun." "Nuns are not spinsters, Mr. Smith," the nun replied. "They are married to God." "Okay," the man said with a smile, "then bill my brother-in-law."

~Brittainy said...

I wish I had gotten pictures, Unfortunately I was trying to hold a yard sale at the same time.

Patsy said...

Jo, several decades ago, a man whose name I cannot recall made a study of laughter on health and he arrived at the same conclusion. I vaguely remember that as a result, it was considered wise to read/watch/hear humor -- to keep the spirits up, which somehow affects the immune system etc.

And having said that, I am not so sure what the results would be if a person were profoundly disturbed/depressed/unhappy etc and *chose* to pretend to be happy with the hopes that s/he would then *become* happy.

What I mean is, what part do Denial and Sublimation plaY? I know that both are harmful in that they present a barrier from truth, and anytime that happens, trouble follows.

There are so many studies that make sense, but when you bring into play other studies and other conclusions, you, or at least I, can wonder.

Call me Ms. Wonder.

~~ Lorna in Southern California

Patsy said...

Jo, I agree with you about a sense of humor. And to me humor is the gentle and silly kind. I know so many witty and sharp, cruel people.

Being from Hawaii, a lot of irony and sarcasm goes right over my head.


~Lorna

TheChicGeek said...

Hi Jo :D I'm so happy to be here to visit you. I've been so busy I have not had time to visit all my favorite people. I love your post. I'm a firm believer in the power of laughter. I smile and laugh a lot and it has always served me well. And I think there is nothing sexier than an intelligent and funny man :D
Stay Happy...LOL :D

white crow said...

hey....i m a hot dude...XD
(think i got a fever?)

meggie said...

I love laughter too. If a man can make me laugh, he is a hit immediately.

Jo said...

Hello, everyone! LOVE the jokes. Can I borrow some? My time got away on me yesterday (*sigh*) and I have not been able to answer each of your wonderful comments. I need an extra few hours in a day, just to visit my favorite bloggers. :-)

Cheers!