Laughter is not only an effective stress-reliever, but can be heart-healthy, according to research presented at the American College of Sports Medicine's 56th Annual Meeting in Seattle. Two separate studies examined the role of a good laugh as it relates to health.
One of the studies took an inverted approach to previous research on the harmful cardiovascular tolls of stress and negative mood. A small group of healthy adults were instructed to watch either a comedy or documentary film, and were monitored for carotid artery activity during the films.