This is why Calgarians should be laughing harder and more often

We’ve all heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine” at least once in our lives. And honestly, it’s no surprise that belly laughs genuinely provide positive benefits for your health.

You may not laugh so hard that your sides hurt (or you tear up with joy) every single day, but when you do, you instantly feel an overall burst of happiness in your mind, body, and soul.

These feel-good moments are meant to happen, because laughter is the body’s way of releasing pressure. It allows us to connect and communicate with the people around us while having a darn good time. What more could we ask for in YYC? Well, maybe a place where we can laugh to our heart’s content and see genius comedy unfold before our eyes.

Calgarians shouldn’t underestimate the power of laughing harder and more often. In fact, we’ve teamed up with Theatre Calgary to prove it, as well as celebrate the launch of the hilarious live production, Noises Off. Here’s why you need to make a conscious effort to giggle more, starting today.

It has a bunch of physical benefits

Modern research is providing us with greater insight into the positive physical effects of laughter.

Having a laugh helps ease muscle tension and increase blood circulation. It can also lower stress hormones, reduce cortisol levels, increase dopamine, boost oxygen levels and immunity, lower blood sugar, and improve respiratory systems, according to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Let’s not forget about the cognitive perks

There’s always going to be something happening in your life, good or bad. You could be going back to school to follow your passion, travelling the world, struggling with your finances, or experiencing personal challenges — no matter the situation, appreciating the humour in life can bring relief and help you de-stress.

The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association explains that laughter can help with restful sleep and relaxation and counteract depressive features, anxiety, and psychosomatic issues. It also improves your mood, cognition, brain function, sociability, memory, and alertness, as well as encourages creativity. So the next time you find yourself with a creative block, remember to LOL.

Where you can laugh it off in Calgary

We’re not going to tell you to sit and flick through your rom-com options on Netflix, because you probably won’t find a movie that’ll have you hysterical with laughter. That can only really happen in person, and we know just the place to seek it out: Theatre Calgary. Noises Off, a hilarious and iconic play that’s coming to the theatre from September 10 to October 5 and is solid proof that laughter can turn your day around.

The highly acclaimed play was written by Michael Frayn (who spent 20 years perfecting the script) and is directed by Mark Bellamy. It gives you a funny insight into what actors get up to behind the scenes, just hours before they get on stage to perform British sex comedy, Nothing On.

Life is too short to be unhappy, so visit Theatre Calgary now and get your tickets for Noises Off.

‘Noises Off’

When: September 10 to October 5

Where: Theatre Calgary — 220 9 Avenue SE, Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre

Price: Starting at $35 — Tickets available via Theatre Calgary