Laughter Therapy For Good Health
If you find the title of this article laughable, good! That is the intention of a new therapy aimed at improving our health. Scientists have discovered that laughing has much the same effect as exercise does— that of raising beneficial chemicalneurotransmitters called endorphins.
In fact, Norman Cousins, laughed himself into feeling better even though he had severe arthritis. How? He watched Marx Brothers movies.
So if laughter is so good for our health, why do adults only laugh about fifteen times a day, whereas kids laugh about four hundred times a day?Maybe because as adults, we take life too seriously. But let’s see if we can change that.
You might be familiar with this joke: “He who laughs…lasts.” And lasting well is what we want, isn’t it? But how we go about “lasting,” is our choice.
So here’s the plan: try finding ways to laugh.
1. Perhaps you’ve just done something a bit stupid—it’s okay to chuckle about it!
2. Kids love knock-knock jokes and are great to share silliness with (“How does the sea say hi? It waves.”)
3. The antics of pets can also lighten our mood
4. Have a party and invite your guests to come up with the funniest joke or pun
Watch what happens when you laugh so hard? You cry. You will see your mood rise immediately. A strong “ha ha!” takes the lid off even the biggest stressor.
What’s so good for you about laughing?
- Your immune system works better.
- When you have a sense of humor, you’ll look sexier.
- Seeing things from funny standpoint helps you view a situation from a better perspective.
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Improves alertness, creativity, and memory.
- In relationships, laughter can help diffuse an argument.
I’ll share a final thought with you.
What’s the difference between a piano and a tuna?
You can tuna piano but you can’t piano a tuna.
