HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOPIC.39(1)

By likemindblog

This wonderful little book was given to me by someone and I thouhgt I’d share it with you.

The Power of Laughter

Laughter is one of the best emotional and physical therapies for anyone under stress. Laughing releases endorphins into the brain. Endorphins are like the nerve-numbing drug morphine and serve to reduce harmful chemicals in the body that are released by stress.

As you know first-hand, one of the best ways to increase comfort in negative situations is to break the ice with laughter. When everyone is thinking the worst or feeling anxious about a situation, laughter can dissipate the tension just enough to give everyone a more manageable perspective on an issue.

Of course, serious issues deserve a focused approach. But whenever laughter can be introduced, the resulting release in tension can be a tremendous opportunity to lift above the doom and gloom so we can clarify our minds. We can then think more effectively about solutions for the problem at hand.

Laughter is Good for your Physical Health

When we think of caring for our health, we tend to think about the quality of our diets and whether or not we exercise, but those are not the only things that are good for you!

The act of laughing can cause beneficial physical changes to your body. In addition to relieving stress, laughter gives you a renewed boost of energy and relieves minor pains.

Releasing stress also immediately puts you in a better mood and improves your attitude so you can feel ready to tackle tough situations.

A friend has a teenage daughter who recently went through cancer treatment. She told me that, when they were in the hospital for weeks at a time, the best way for both of them to relieve their stress was to find the funniest (or dumbest) movies on television and just laugh until they cried.

Their laughter helped them forget temporarily where they were; it joined them together because it’s something they shared; and it relaxed both of their bodies enough so they could rest for a few hours.

Certainly the cancer drugs were what helped her daughter win back her health, but the laughter acted as a type of natural medicine that helped soothe the stress of the situation.

Here are some additional health benefits of laughter:

1. Laughter relaxes the whole body. You can relieve stress and relax your body and muscles for up to an hour.

2. Laughter boosts the immune system. Believe it or not, laughter can increase your immunity which helps you fight off disease.

3. Laughter signals the release of endorphins, the natural chemical that helps us feel good. Endorphins can also relieve minor pain temporarily.

4. Laughter improves blood circulation. Good hearty laughs on a regular basis help improve the blood flow through your body and strengthen your heart function.

Laughter Improves Your Mental Health

Have you ever been walking through the mall or in a parking lot when a complete stranger gave you a smile? Just that little bit of shared happiness can help lift a bad mood and improve your self-esteem.

The same is true for laughter. In a difficult situation, a sense of humor can help you keep a positive outlook. Laughing can also help clear your head so you can find a resolution to any problem that challenges you.

When faced with the loss of a loved one, you can still reflect on the joyful moments of their life. Try to remember the funny anecdotes about your loved one, jokes they might have told, or their silly quirks that always made you smile. Doing so can help relieve some of the grief and despair.

Here are some additional mental health benefits of laughter:

1. Laughter relieves sad or distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re in the midst of a deep belly laugh.

2. Laughter relaxes your mind and recharges your energy. A good laugh can reduce your stress, increase your energy, and help you stay focused on the task at hand.

3. Laughter improves your problem solving skills. It can help you see another perspective of an issue, thus allowing you to strategize different ways to solve the problem.

Laughter Strengthens Relationships… will be continued next week!