New Delhi: Indeed the deep-rooted belly laugh is one of the best feelings in the world, perhaps, the best medicine. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain and even helps you lose weight and tone your belly. It is also a great antidote to stress. Of course, laughter is the best way to bring people together and form strong bonds. To raise awareness about laughter and its many health benefits, World Laughter Day is celebrated worldwide on the first Sunday of May of every year.

With so much power to heal and repair, being able to laugh easily and frequently may be a tremendous resource for combating problems, and enhancing overall health - both physically and mentally. Science has shown that this involuntary reaction to certain external or internal stimuli can even add years to your life. So, if you want to yield those benefits, you better learn to laugh, even in times of struggle. So, keep laughing, this priceless medicine is fun and free, no charge required.

Health benefits of laughter

Here, we list some of the unbelievable health benefits of laughter you probably didn't know:

Lowers blood pressure

One study suggested that laughter is heart-healthy as it has been shown to lower the systolic blood pressure (the top number in the reading) in people who took part in bimonthly group sessions built around music or laughter. Lowering your blood pressure reduces your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Tones your tummy

You might be surprised to learn that laughing can also help you lose weight and reduce belly fat. The fact is that as you laugh, the muscles in your belly expand and contract fully, which is exactly like exercising your abs. Actually, one study showed that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes every day can help a person burn about 40 calories - which is equivalent to losing three or four pounds over the course of a year. Laugher can be a natural way to exercise various muscles in your body, and thus, aiding you in weight loss.

Improves metabolism

Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormone cortisol, which lowers the metabolism and stores fat in the midsection. This means, laughter will help improve your metabolism naturally, which in turn, influences your body to burn more calories and lose weight.

Boosts immune system

Studies suggest that people who regularly laugh have increased levels of T-cells, which help protect the body from infections, thereby improving resistance to sickness. Laughter can stimulate the antibody cells to develop at faster rates and help stop intruders from harming the body.

Helps you live longer

Considering how a good laugh can actually affect your health - be it your stress levels or overall wellness - studies suggest that indulging your sense of humour may help you live a healthier life and extend your lifespan. According to a large study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, women with a strong sense of humour were found to live longer in spite of illness, particularly cardiovascular disease and infection.