The Healing Power of Laughter
Laughing, I am finding out is the best medicine. I am back from vacation with my wonderful family and I just figured out what I was missing....Laughter. There is something to the healing power of laughter. Laughter and merriment is even in the Old Testament, with it stating, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” What better place to get advice about laughter and merriment than the Good Book!?!
I really started looking into laughter, especially spending time with my family and just laughing. I was startled to find out facts that I did not even know about how good laughing is on our mood and bodies. Laughter reduces pain by producing pain killing hormones called endorphins (that's the feel good hormone in our brain). Laughter actually strengthens the immune system by producing T-cells, interferon and immune proteins called globulins. And good ole laughter aids in decreasing stress. When we are stressed we produce a hormone called cortisol. Laughter significantly lowers the cortisol levels and returns your body to a more relaxed state. So, that explains the lower pain levels and the relaxation I felt spending quality time with my family. I was feeling so good that I might have to try to bottle them up and keep them by my side.
So, I am on the quest to have a good laugh everyday. Well, I still have a good cry daily, but now I am focusing on laughing and feeling happy. I have increased my "Laugh Arsenal" which includes ALL of the Cosby Shows, DVD's of Everybody Loves Raymond, Everybody Hates Chris, and ofcourse, DVD's of The Kings of Comedy, which I might add is a classic, and Kevin Hart. I am ready to laugh and laugh and laugh.
There are so many ways to ease your stress and increase your laughter and learn to find the fun in your life. Remember to learn to laugh at yourself. Sometimes we can take ourselves much to serious....STOP! Another way to increase your laughter factor is not to take life too seriously. In all your trials and tribulations and the stressors of life, find the other, lighter side of things. It's there, all you have to do is find it. Sit back and relax and enjoy a comedy, call a friend. Another great way to find happiness and increase your laugh factor is to spend time with children. Kids are exhuberant and just all out fun. They are the perfect cure for a bad mood.
With all this being said, I wish you all the gift of laughter. It's okay to laugh at yourself. It's okay to giggle like a kid. It's okay not to do anything and watch a comedy and chuckle. Sometimes as adults we forget the simpler things and our view points get a little jaded and we forget just the simple things in life. And what is more simpler than laughing. There are just too many benefits of a good belly laugh not to just...well...laugh.
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