Laughing out loud not only boosts your mood, but it can also strengthen your heart and burn calories.
Malaysia’s Public Health Malaysia (PHM) page shared today that multiple physiological studies show laughing 100 times is roughly equivalent to 15 minutes on a stationary bike.
The page explained that laughter exercises the heart and lungs: when you laugh heartily, your heart rate rises, allowing you to take in more oxygen.
PHM also noted that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn around 40 calories. “It may not seem like much, but combined with a healthy lifestyle and consistency, it can effectively boost your metabolism,” the page said.
Laughter is also a natural stress reliever, helping to lower stress hormones such as cortisol while increasing endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals. “Endorphins are natural painkillers that help us feel calm and relaxed,” PHM added.
In addition, laughter can engage the abdominal muscles. PHM noted that when laughter gets intense enough to make your stomach feel uncomfortable, it’s a sign your diaphragm and abs are working hard.
The page encouraged people to see laughter as a key part of a positive lifestyle, especially in today’s stressful world, and advised finding daily reasons to laugh heartily. “Watch a funny story, hang out with your humorous friends, or share a few silly jokes with your partner,” it suggested.
