Can Laughter Help You Loose Weight?
Yes it can.
Most of the research seems to agree that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes equals about 50 calories burned. Which may not seems like a lot but that would equal about 4.5 pounds lost in a year.
Any you think “whoop-dee-do”
Well let me do a little math for you.
What if you decided you would laugh for no reason three times a day for a half hour each (this may seem like a lot, but it is definitely doable if you put your mind to it). That would be 300 to 450 calories burned per day and around 30 pounds lost in a year.
And which is more enjoyable, laughing or jogging? which would you rather do for a half hour three times a day?
More things to consider:
Laughing does more than burn calories it also decreases stress, which in an of itself is healthier for you in general, but also can help to reduce weight:
A recent report from the University College London proved that individuals who are chronically stressed have a much higher incident of metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by hypertension and obesity. (http://www.thementalfitnesscenter.com/blog/10-benefits-of-reducing-stress/)
Also I am not the type of person who recommends any sort of diet or fad weight loss program. My take on weight loss is this. If you really want to lose it and keep it off you need to make a life change and just live healthier in general. This means learning about food and eating a more healthy diet (including taking the time to make your own meals and use fresh ingredients), and getting exercise, like walking, running, biking, playing a sport or weight training. Really if you want to lose weight this is how to do it, BUT laughing as part of your exercise routing sure will add a very enjoyable element that can help you loose weight too.
So to sum up, I may not recommend laughing as being the sole activity you do to loose weight, but laughing more and more often can certainly help.