Here's a great way to improve your well-being. Try laughing! Studies have shown that fun-loving amusement has many benefits for your psychological and medical health. Here's our top favorites.
Weight Management: did you know that laughing for 10 -15 minutes a day can burn an extra 40 calories?
Anti-Aging: whooping it up can make a person feel younger, since it reduces the rate of cellular decay, which slows aging. Additionally, the effects of laughter are better mental function and it improves mental alertness, memory and interpersonal responsiveness.
Stress Relief: hardy, har, hars reduces cortisol a hormone that causes stress and increases endorphins which make a person feel happy. Laughter also causes an enzyme to secrete that protects the stomach from forming ulcers.
Immunity: generally speaking, a serious attack of the giggles can help the body fight infection. Why? Because it increases the immunes systems T-cells, which kill invading bacteria that are harmful to the body. During flu season, laughter can increase the number of antibodies in saliva, which combats upper respiratory infections. Who knew?
Circulation: hooting and hollowing improves blood vessel function, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, increases blood oxygen levels and boosts circulation.
Cancer Fighting: it is a proven fact that cancer thrives in an oxygen depleted body. therefore a good chuckle can help to combat cancer.
Managing Pain: did you know that endorphins the bodies own natural pain relievers, are released during a hearty belly laugh?
Breathing: being downright jolly increases respiratory functions of those suffering from inhalation ailments. Why? Because it assists in ventilation and helps clear out all of the gunky stuff in the lungs.
Diabetes: a good guffaw can be linked to the reduction of blood sugar levels for people after they eat, thus assisting patients with their type 2 diabetes maintenance.
Exercise: lively laughter can be considered a form of exercise because it can condition the abdominal muscles. It also helps to relax all of the muscles in the body.
Physical & Mental Health: good humor can help change your outlook, reduce stress, make you feel younger, be more positive, boost the immune system and provide a lot of other natural benefits. (information adapted from the article "Laugh Your Way to Better Health." written by Kathy Balland in the AZNET News).
So your homework is to get out there and smile, laugh, be merry, happy, fun-loving, positive, joyful, and in good spirits.
Positive Links
Laughter Health Productions
Services for the Comedy Community
The Laughter Store
Gifts that make you grin, giggle and guffaw!
LaughterHeals.org
Laughter Heals Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to promote healing through laughter.
Fun Artwork Links
www.BigWorld Photo.com (Lorri, your unique sense of humor is truly good for the soul! Thanks so much!)
www.suzytoronto.com (Suzy, I just honestly like how you tell it like it is! Mucho Gracious)
"Laughter is the sense of feeling good all over and showing it
in one place."
-Josh Billings
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."
- Victor Hugo
A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.
- Groucho Marx
THE BIG SMILING OATH
- DIANA LOOMANS WITH JULIA GODOY
I DO UNSOLEMNLY SWEAR,
TO TURN UP EACH SIDE OF MY MOUTH,
AND TO SMILE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE,
I AGREE TO LAUGH SEVERAL TIMES DAILY.
AND TO GIVE AND RECEIVE AT LEAST THREE HUGS PER DAY!
I VOW TO HAVE FREQUENT BOUTS OF SILLINESS,
AND MORE HAPPINESS FOR NO REASON.
FROM THIS DAY FORTH,
I PROMISE TO LAUGH LONG AND PROSPER