Have you ever laughed so loud that it felt like all your problems were gone? Or have you seen elderly people in a park nearby, gathered in the morning, and laughing loudly? There is actually a reason behind it. Humour can help you maintain a stable mental state.

Humour not only boosts mood but also stimulates important functions in our body. It increases oxygen-rich air intake and stimulates organs like our heart, lungs, and muscles. It also releases endorphins and makes us feel pleased and calm. Dr Neerja Agarwal, a psychologist with 15 years of experience and the co-founder of Emoneeds, a mental health platform says that humour is a natural stress relief mechanism that alters heart rate, leaving one in higher spirits. "Laughter also promoted rapid blood circulation, which induces a calming sensation and alleviates tension. As a valuable tool for stress management, humour can also shift perspective, enabling some individuals to perceive challenges in a less daunting manner," she explains.

The 'Feel Good' Chemicals

When a person laughs, it triggers a cascade of physiological and psychological responses that enhance well-being, explains the doctor. The act of laughing also engages multiple brain regions, particularly those associated with emotion, pleasure, and social bonding. This activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and mood enhancers, leading to feelings of joy and relaxation.

"Additionally, laughter increases serotonin levels, contributing to mood stabilisation and reducing feelings of anxiety or depression," she explains. Physiologically, laughing boosts oxygen intake, improves circulation, and activates the diaphragm, which can promote a sense of physical and emotional release.

Dr Gautami Devi Chetri, Clinical Psychologist at Lissun says that laughter can also help in burning calories. "While not equivalent to aerobic exercise, just 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn 10-40 extra calories. It enhances heart function by increasing stroke volume and cardiac output, dilates blood vessels, and lowers cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Additionally, laughter stimulates the brain's reward system, boosts immunoglobulins and natural killer cell activity, and raises beta-endorphins and human growth hormone, contributing to overall well-being," she explains.

How Can One Incorporate It In Life?

Laughter yoga is a great way to do that. Blending laughter with yogic breathing techniques fosters a strong connection between mind and body. Dr Chetri explains that it was founded in India in 1995. Laughter yoga has been shown to lift moods, reduce stress, boost the immune system, and enhance overall quality of life. It also helps people cope with challenges. "As participants laugh while focusing on their breath, they take in more oxygen, activating the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and a natural state of calm. It’s a joyful way to improve overall well-being. Studies on laughter yoga have shown that it can significantly reduce mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hostility, as well as negative self-perception," she says.

Dr Agarwal also says that studies have shown that laughter yoga also enhances cardiovascular health, flexibility and overall vitality which is essential for maintaining independence in later life.

"It encourages social interaction, reduces feelings of isolation, and builds emotional resilience. Participants often experience a sense of belonging and purpose within the supportive community that laughter yoga cultivates. This joyful practice promotes embracing the present moment, alleviating anxiety and encouraging a more optimistic outlook," she says.

Is It Scientifically Backed?

A study by John Goodwin, Maria O'Malley and Karen McCarthy titled How Do Mental Health Professionals Use Humor? A Systematic Review from 2024, published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health says that mental health nurses use laughter and humour as a coping mechanism. These nurses stated that whenever there are stressful events in their professional roles, humour is an important strategy to deal with it.

It also found that psychiatrists who tended to employ humour were more likely to report feeling "happy". In fact, in family therapy sessions, school counselling sessions also encouraged family members to joke once in a while each week as it can enhance relationships.

Dr Chetri says that research suggests that laughter has the ability to lower stress-related hormones in the body, which mitigates the impact of stress. It reduces levels of cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid, a key dopamine by-product, signaling a reversal of the stress response.

Some of the studies Dr Chetri also points out are:

A study by Cai, Yu, Rong, and Zhong examined the effectiveness of humour intervention for patients with schizophrenia. They found that 10 hours of humour skill training led to improved rehabilitative outcomes and enhanced the participants' sense of humour, including a reduction in negative symptoms.

• In another integrative literature review by Xuefeng Sun et al. published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers explored that humour therapy was found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in most patients, addressing issues such as low mood, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and negative thought patterns. While motivation levels improved for many, some showed minimal change. The review highlighted three effective interventions: humor therapy, medical clowns for children, and laughter therapy for adults, all of which demonstrated a positive impact on mental health benefits.

• Lastly, in his 1905 book, Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious, Sigmund Freud expressed that humour serves as one of the most effective defence mechanisms of the psyche, capable of transforming anxiety into pleasure.

Dr Agarwal also notes that studies have also shown that hospital clowns significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels in both hospitalised children and parents. Another study by Georgia State University found that integrating bouts of simulated laughter into exercise programs improved mental health and aerobic endurance among older adults.

However, humour and its effects work differently on person to person and the results solely depend on the person's anxiety levels and other indicators of mental health. While it can provide a momentary relief, for someone with severe mental health issues, it is always advisable to seek professional help, notes Dr Agarwal.

Living a healthy lifestyle is crucial for your heart health. We all have heard this from our doctors, peers, as well as multiple studies across the internet. The number of things that could have a negative impact on your heart keeps seemingly increasing, leaving many of us wondering how many more things we should be aware of. New research has painted a clear picture for us and gives the exact number of everyday risks that could slash the risk of heart attack by 63%. In the study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, researchers were surprised to find that removing 56 unfavorable profiles, could lower the chances of declining heart health.

This shows that what we do every day has a really big impact on our heart health and our chances of this happening.

The researchers compared the people who had a sudden cardiac arrest with those who stayed healthy. They looked at 125 different things that people can change, like what they eat, how much they exercise, if they smoke or drink, how they feel emotionally, and even things like their job and money situation. The place you live at can also be a factor as the study noted that things like air pollution, traffic proximity and intensity, the percentage of natural environment can also affect your heart health. This helped them figure out which of these things were most strongly linked to having a sudden cardiac arrest.

Preventable Variables To Look Out For

The study found 56 things in our daily lives, our surroundings, and our health that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. If we pay attention to these things and make them better, like eating healthier or being more active, we might be able to stop up to 63% of these heart problems from happening. It's about looking at all the pieces of our lives.

The researchers expressed their astonishment over how many cases we could possibly prevent. He said that if people who have unhealthy habits or situations made improvements, we could see a big drop, somewhere between 40% and 63%, in the number of sudden cardiac arrests. This shows that making positive changes can have a much bigger effect than we might think.

How Did The Researchers Find This?

To learn more about what causes these heart problems, the researchers looked at a lot of information from a long-term health study in the UK. This study followed over 500,000 people for many years. During that time, more than 3,000 of them had a sudden cardiac arrest. By looking at all this data, the researchers could start to see patterns and find the things that might be increasing the risk.

The research draws attention towards the increasing numbers of people suffering with heart diseases in the world. According to the American Heart Association in just one year 436,000 American died due to cardiac arrests. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, taking 17.9 million lives each year. Hence, changing a few necessary things to protect your heart could save your life in the long run.

Fathers are always portrayed as the strong ones who keep the family together. Many are not given the space to express their emotions in a healthy way. The idea that dads need to be strong and stoic affects many men in different ways. The surprising state of men’s mental health is evident in different statistics. According to World Health Organization (WHO), men commit suicide twice the rate more than women. About 80% of suicides reported in the US happen to be men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that men are four times more likely to die by suicide.

Not only is the lack of mental health care affecting men all around the world, but new study shows, their depression may have an effect on their children’s well-being. In a recent report done by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that children, whose fathers have undiagnosed depression, are more likely to have behavioral issues.

What Kinds Of Behaviors Did These Kids Exhibit?

The study found that young kids whose dads were found to be depressed, undiagnosed, were more likely to be restless and act out as they got older. By the time they were nine, they showed more anger and defiance. They also had a harder time working with others and didn't feel as good about themselves. This suggests that a father's early mental health can shape a child's behavior for many years.

Experts point out that we usually focus on mothers' mental health, especially after having a baby. However, this study reminds us of that fathers' mental health is just as important. We need to think about both parents' well-being because they both play a big role in raising their children. Ignoring one parent's struggles isn't good for the family as a whole.

How Common Is Parental Depression?

It might surprise you to learn that many fathers go through periods of feeling depressed when their kids are young. In fact, around 8 to 13 out of every 100 fathers in the US experience this. If the mother is also struggling with depression after giving birth, the chances of the father feeling depressed can shoot up, affecting as many as half of them.

To understand how fathers' mental health affects kids, researchers looked at information from a long-term study. They followed over 1,400 children born in big cities across the US. When the kids were five, they asked the fathers about any signs of depression. Then, when the kids were nine, their teachers helped assess how they were behaving in school and with others. This helped the researchers see connections over time.

Parent’s Mental Health Affect The Child’s Behavior

The results of the study clearly showed that there was a connection between fathers who were depressed and children who had more behavioral problems. The researchers found a pattern suggesting that when fathers struggle with their mental health, it can have a direct impact on how their children act and feel as they grow older.

When a father is depressed, it can make it harder for him to be the kind of parent he wants to be. For example, he might find it difficult to give his children the emotional support they need, like listening to their problems or offering comfort. His own sadness can also create tension and arguments at home, making the environment stressful for everyone in the family, including the kids.

When parents show their children that it's okay to ask for help when they're struggling, it teaches a valuable lesson. It shows kids that everyone faces challenges and that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. This understanding can stay with children throughout their lives, making them more likely to seek support when they need it too.

Women’s reproductive health is a vital part of overall well-being, but it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Conversations around it are still considered taboo in many communities. Because of this silence, many women continue to suffer through discomfort, pain, and long-term health issues without proper help. Some of these problems, if ignored, can affect fertility or even become life-threatening.

Here’s a look at five common gynaecological issues that affect women and why it's important to address them early.

Menstrual Problems

Many women experience some discomfort during their periods, but when the pain is severe, it could be a sign of dysmenorrhea. This condition causes intense cramping in the lower abdomen or back, often disrupting daily life. It happens due to strong uterine contractions that reduce blood flow and oxygen to the tissues.

Another issue is menorrhagia, or unusually heavy periods. This can lead to fatigue and anaemia if not managed. Then there are irregular periods, which may signal hormonal imbalances or conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Ignoring menstrual irregularities may lead to bigger health problems later, including fertility issues.

Vaginal Infections and Discomfort

Many women experience vaginal infections at some point. These can result from bacterial, fungal, or yeast overgrowth. A condition called vaginitis often presents with itching, burning, unusual discharge, or changes in odour.

Although treatable, recurring infections should not be ignored, as they may point to an underlying health concern. Regular hygiene and medical attention can help prevent complications.

Ovarian Cysts and PCOS

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the ovaries. While most are harmless and go away on their own, some can cause pain or discomfort and may need medical attention.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a more serious condition that causes multiple small cysts on the ovaries. It’s linked with hormonal imbalances that can lead to irregular periods, acne, hair growth, weight gain, mood changes, and difficulties in getting pregnant. Managing PCOS often involves lifestyle changes and medication.

Endometriosis and Fibroids

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, pain during sex, digestive problems, and infertility. Treatment may include hormone therapy, pain relief, or surgery, depending on severity.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths inside or around the uterus. They may cause heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or frequent urination. While some fibroids don’t need treatment, others may require medication or surgical removal.

Urinary Tract Issues

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common in women and can cause a burning sensation during urination, lower abdominal pain, and the need to urinate frequently. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is usually effective.

Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, may happen after childbirth or during menopause. It’s often treatable with pelvic floor exercises, medication, or surgery.

Why It Matters

Bringing these issues into open conversation helps women take charge of their health. Early detection and treatment can make a big difference—preventing long-term complications and improving quality of life.