The late journalist Norman Cousins believed he cured himself of a serious illness by watching funny films. He reported that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anaesthetic effect, giving him at least two hours of pain-free sleep. This anecdote underscores the powerful impact laughter can have on physical well-being, particularly when dealing with pain or discomfort. Although manageable, his self-treatment included massive doses of vitamin C, which are not widely recommended.
In a heartwarming account, one responder shared how their dad, hospitalized with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, experienced a profound shift in health after a hilarious incident on his ward. The joyful and childish laughter sparked by a silly event led him to laugh uncontrollably all day, which surprisingly resulted in his needing oxygen for only a short time. By the end of the day, he was able to go home, illustrating the health benefits of laughter during recovery.
Collection
[
|
...
]