Laughing for Good Health
When was the last time you had a great big laugh? You know the kind that almost makes your insides hurt? If you cannot remember the last time, it is about time that you started because as the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Laughing not only makes you feel good emotionally, it also has many physical health benefits. It helps you to fight off illnesses, decreases pain levels, and even gives you more energy. This is all due to laughter’s way of decreasing your stress levels. What the experts say about stress levels is true – stress can actually ruin your health so start finding ways to fight it today.
A Natural Way to Relax
When you laugh, you actually help your muscles relax. If you have ever felt incredibly tense in your shoulders, neck or back, you know the immense relief that you can realize when the muscles relax. Think of laughter as your natural massage. Because when you laugh, you release the feel good hormones called endorphins, which decrease the amount stress hormones that your body produces. With decreased “bad” hormones in your body, you are better able to fight off germs and stay healthy. Last, but not least, laughing helps your blood flow better, which helps to diminish the risk of heart disease – something we all need to worry about!
If you have not laughed in a while, find a way to get in some good old laughter with a friend or loved one. Head to a comedy movie at the theatre, attend an improve show at the local comedy club or just hang out with someone that always makes you laugh. Make a regular date with laughter and you will naturally give yourself the gift of good health – who can argue with that?