Have you ever heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”? Well, it turns out, there’s more truth to this statement than you might think. Laughter, along with the act of stepping out of your comfort zone, can have a profoundly positive impact on your brain’s health and overall well-being.
As a curator and a comedian, of the annual ENL (Empowering Night of Laughter) Orlando’s favorite annual all-female comedy show I think a lot about humor and courage. Our annual event invites guests to be witness to empowerment in action as 9 Fearlessly Funny Women remind us that life happens outside of our comfort zones by taking center stage to perform a five-minute comedic routine. The 60-minute show is led by 3 Empresses of Empowerment, community influencers who inspire us with their stories of “how having a sense of humor and getting out of their comfort zone” have empowered them to be successful in life.
Laughter is Empowering
When we laugh, a beautiful symphony of neural activity lights up several key brain regions, each with its unique role in our cognitive and emotional processes:
- Prefrontal Cortex: This region is responsible for complex decision-making, personality expression, and moderating social behavior. Laughter stimulates the prefrontal cortex, enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Hippocampus: Vital for memory formation and consolidation, the hippocampus plays a crucial role in our ability to remember experiences and information. Laughter can improve memory retention and recall, making it easier to remember important details.
- Amygdala: The amygdala is involved in processing emotions, particularly in detecting threats and fear. Laughter helps regulate the amygdala, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Ventral Striatum: Linked to pleasure and reward, the ventral striatum is responsible for processing feelings of enjoyment. Laughing triggers the release of dopamine, often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, leading to increased happiness and a sense of reward.
Confidence and Building a Sense of Community
Stepping out of your comfort zone often involves social interactions that encourage laughter, and this combination of humor and courage can have significant brain benefits. It boosts self-confidence by helping individuals face new challenges and embrace the unknown, reinforcing a positive self-image through successful experiences. It also creates a strong sense of belonging as shared laughter fosters a sense of community, building bonds and strengthening relationships. Moreover, this confidence and sense of belonging inspire motivation and perseverance, activating the brain’s reward system and encouraging individuals to set and achieve their goals. Additionally, laughter and social interactions trigger the release of oxytocin, often known as the “love hormone,” enhancing feelings of trust, empathy, and connection with others.
