We’ve all heard the proverb, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But, did you know that laughing every day may also keep the doctor away?

Laughter has been proven to provide significant health benefits that can positively influence your physical and mental well-being. As the physical response to humor, laughter can uplift your mood and remove stress.

“Laughter reduces the stress hormone, cortisone, and boosts the immune response by increasing the immune cells and antibodies in the body, thereby increasing your ability to fight infection,” said Aditya Sharma, MD, a psychiatrist with Medical Center of McKinney.

Researchers are exploring the positive benefits of laughter and have found that there is a feedback loop between the muscles in your face and your brain. So, a scowl or frown sends a message to the brain causing it to lower the neurochemicals that make your feel happy. Laughter, on the other hand, sends an opposite message that leads to an increase in these neurochemicals that lift your mood, explains Dr. Sharma.

 “Laughter releases the natural feel-good chemicals in the brain, which in turn, improve your mood, reduce anxiety and improve your ability to handle stress.”