Bernard O'Shea: 10 reasons why laughing more will make you live longer

Bernard O'Shea: "When you're in pain, laughing might not fix it, but it'll make you care less."

One of the most effective ways to live longer is to laugh more. As a comedian, I have a vested interest in this research. If laughing adds years to your life, consider my shows a public health service.

1. It's a Free Cardio Workout

Laughter gets your heart pumping, your lungs expanding, and your face moving. Studies show that a hearty laugh increases your heart rate and burns calories—enough to almost make up for that sneaky fun-sized chomp you found under your middle fella's bed last week (What? Just me???). Mark Twain once said, "Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand." Even science agrees that this could be the most fun workout of your life.

2. Stress Reduction at Its Funniest

Stress is a silent killer, but laughter is its loud nemesis. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins—those magical chemicals that appear in every article I write. Someday, I'll have to buy some in the local endorphin shop. Historically, even ancient Greeks prescribed humour for stress relief. (Note: If you're looking for a laugh in the classics, I wouldn't start with Oedipus Rex)

3. It Boosts Your Immune System

Ever notice that people who laugh a lot seem to dodge colds? No, neither have I; however, science backs this up: laughter increases the production of immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. 

In fact, Dr. Lee Berk, a renowned laughter researcher (yep it exists), discovered that a good chuckle can activate T-cells, your body's frontline defence against illness.

4. It Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Laughter improves circulation and lowers blood pressure, making it a heart-healthy habit. Think of it as a brisk jog for your arteries, minus the Lycra and judgmental marathoners. 

Historical fun fact: in the 1960s, Norman Cousins, a journalist and unofficial ambassador for the American Government, famously treated his heart condition with daily doses of laughter. He'd watch Marx Brothers films until tears streamed down his face, claiming it gave him hours of pain-free sleep.

5. Social Bonding: It's Contagious

Laughter brings people together like a wedding DJ playing Rock the Boat (too many times I've split the arse of my pants too many times doing it yet …). Laughing creates connections, Whether over a shared joke or an awkward family moment. And connected people live longer. Aristotle even theorised that humans are the only creatures who laugh, marking it a cornerstone of our social evolution.

6. It's a Natural Painkiller

Dr Patch Adams, the real-life inspiration behind the Robin Williams film, famously used humour to help patients manage chronic pain. When you're in pain, laughing might not fix it, but it'll make you care less—like when your toddler paints the walls with a jar of bolognese sauce as opposed to a tin of black shoe polish (That happened)

7. It Enhances Mental Resilience

Laughter helps you bounce back by giving you perspective. As comedian Joan Rivers once said, "If you can laugh at it, you can live with it." Resilience studies show that humour boosts your psychological coping mechanisms.

8. It's Your Brain's Fountain of Youth

Laughter is Botox for your brain. It's proven to stimulate memory and cognitive function, helping you stay sharp as a tack—or at least as sharp as someone who remembers where they parked their car. "Nobody panic. I left it on level 2b, or we're in the wrong country". Researchers also found that laughter improves short-term memory in older adults.

9. It's the Most Fun You Can Have with Your Clothes On

You've heard the phrase, "Dance like nobody's watching," but I'd argue you should laugh like nobody's judging. Belly laughs, snorts, giggles—all signs of a well-lived life. As Oscar Wilde said, "It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously."

10. Final Thought: It's a Legacy Worth Leaving

When people remember you, they'll recall how you made them laugh. Historical philosophers from Confucius to even Nietzsche (and he wasn't exactly the life and soul of the party) emphasised the transformative power of humour in shaping our lives and relationships.

Laughing is like a superfood. It has zero side effects and pairs well with literally everything? 

So, laugh often, laugh loudly, and remember: if laughter adds years to your life, I'll see you at my next gig— yeah, that's what I've been reduced to literally telling you I can save your life!

• Bernard is on tour with his new show ‘Desperate House Husband’. For tickets see bernardoshea.ie.