Laughter and Fibromyalgia

• Laughter reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort. It is not clear whether laughter is just a diversionary tactic to help us forget our pain or if it is due to a chemical change and an increase in endorphins, but researchers have time and again documented lowered pain responses in patients treated with humor therapy. It is also thought that a good hearty laugh that brings you to tears removes toxic substances that build up in our bodies during periods of emotional stress.

• Laughter improves brain function and reduces stress. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information. Laughter is a great way to combat fibro fog.

• Laughter aids in better relaxation and improved sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

• Laughter helps your immune system carry out its natural functions. Laughter moves lymph fluid around your body simply by the convulsions you experience during the process of laughing; so it boosts immune system function and helps clear out old, dead waste products from organs and tissues. Your lymph system doesn’t have a separate pump; your body needs to move around to properly circulate lymph fluid so that your immune system can carry out its natural functions. Laughter is a great way to support that.

Read full post at Fibro Haven

You might be interested in Laughter is Good Medicine which includes links to Funny Fibro Memes on Pinterest

Listen to Laugh: NPR Laughter Therapy: A Comedy Collection for the Chronically Serious

If you are looking for some humorous shows to get you your 10 minutes of laughter, or more, here are some great suggestions from our members at FIBRO CONNECT our private fibromyalgia Facebook group:

• Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.
• The Office. (TV Show)
• What About Bob?: A 1991 movie directed by Frank Oz. With Bill Murray, and Richard Dreyfuss
• Mash (TV Show)
• Tropic Thunder a 2008  movie directed by Ben Stiller
• Overboard a 2018 remake rom/com with Anna Faris. 
• Frasier (American TV series)
• Scary Movie a spoof on all scary movies.
• Eurovision Song contest with Will Ferrell
• Mr Right with Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell.
• Caddy Shack for that goofy humor with Chevy Chase
• As Yet Untitled a TV panel show with Alan Davies
• 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown for British humor in a game show hosted by Jimmy Carr
• Beverly Hills Cop a 1984 movie with Eddie Murphy.
• A Fish Called Wanda a 1988 movie written by John Cleese,
• Trading Places a 1983 movie with Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy.