Health and laughter

Health and laughter combine, because when a person laughs, all of the body systems are involved. Muscles contract, respiration increases in volume and rate, and blood pressure is elevated.

Body temperature increases and the central nerve system is activated. The real benefit, however, is that the activity levels of these systems, when the body is at rest is experienced in breathing, pumping of the blood, and muscle contractions.

After a good laugh, these levels fall below normal, giving us the feelings of deep relaxation and overall good feeling.

Laughter makes it easier to deal with life and its many challenges. People who laugh don't worry as much as people who don't laugh.

Laughter helps us cope with challenges and deal with conflict better, because it provides us with a better perspective.

Laughter makes us feel good, because it defuses the painful emotions of fear. anger and boredom.

Laughter helps us cope with problems better. When we trust, we drop our defenses. Laughter opens up, and allows us to be vulnerable and as a result we become more willing to make changes.

Laughter lifts us up and makes life worth living. Laughter makes us feel safer and makes us feel less awkward. It also pushes stress and anxiety into the background

Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones, such as cortisol, epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and growth hormone. At the same time it increases the level of healthy hormones like endorphins and neurotransmitters.

Inner Jogging workout A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs, works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed. It provides a good workout for the heart. Laughing 100 times is equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine, or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.

Physical release Laughing,like crying provide a physical and emotional release.

Positive frame of mind Laughter takes focus away from anger, guilt, fear, stress and depression.

Change of perspective Humor and laughter give us a more light-hearted perspective on things.

Social benefits Laughter builds realationships and since laughter is contagious, it not only benefits you, but likely will affect others around you by elevating their mood.

Fights off illness Optimistic people who laugh more have stronger immune systems and are generally healthier. Laughter decreases stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity.

Longevity Elderly optimistic people were less likely to die before their pessimistic counterparts. A study confirmed that with adjustments for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and other health considerations, optimists were 71% less likely to die than pessimists.

Laughter is the best medicine against heart disease. A study found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

Humor and laughter create the balance we need to get through the turbulance of life comfortably.