Comedy Can Cut Calories
Laughing at comedy can burn calories
Going to the gym can be boring but now there is a way to lose that excess weight effortlessly, and you’re better off trying to have a good laugh.
New research published today has found out that watching comedy can help burn calories by the amount of laughing you do when watching your favourite comedians or television shows.
The study, compiled by Dr. Helen Pilcher, of the Comedy Research Project, alongside Timandra Harkness for the television channel, Dave, showed that a high intensity of laughter which is ‘flat out, uncontrollable, roll on the floor laughter’ will burn around 120 calories an hour.
This is the equivalent of vacuuming for 40 minutes, walking for 15-20 minutes or doing 18-27 minutes of weightlifting.
Emilie Jones, Marketing Manager at the Comedy Store, Manchester, said: “Here at the Comedy Store we see the magical effects of laughter at every show. The mood in the building changes and it’s contagious. When there are 500 people in our theatre laughing at one comedian on stage, you can’t help but be lifted by the feeling in the room.”
The report also suggests that laughing at comedy helps you ‘shape your six pack by targeting internal oblique muscles more effectively than sit-ups’.
The idea that laughter benefits your health has been around for many years, as it is said to improve cardiac health, reduce stress and muscle tension, increase oxygen in the blood and triggers the release of endorphins.
Ms Jones continued to say: “There is sound scientific evidence to demonstrate how beneficial it is for your mood and health, and we all can feel just how wonderful it is to laugh. Whether it is watching live comedy or a video of a cat, laughter just feels good.”
By Lucy McLane