Clay_Miller
"Maybe Laughter is the Best Medicine"
Fitness, Nutrition and Overall Personal Wellness
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Laughter
An audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy.
Laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy (laughing on the inside). It may ensue (as a phyiological reaction) from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation. … see full wiki
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We've all heard that 'Laughter is the best medicine'. Well, there are many proven benefits from laughing, chuckling or giggling. Laughing can reduce stress, lower your blood pressure as well as boost your immune system. Seriously.
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The human reaction of laughing is not full understood. Researchers are currently running tests on the effects of laughter. Scientists are actually starting to put people into functional MRI machines and make them laugh in order to find out. In a recent study at Stanford, researchers showed humorous materials to people while their brains were monitored by an MRI. They were able to prove for the first time that laughter (or at least humor) stimulates the parts of our brain that use the "feel good" chemical messenger dopamine. That puts laughter in the category of activities you want to do over and over again, such as eating chocolate or having sex. Dopamine systems that get out of whack can lead to addiction, says Emory University neurologist Gregory Berns. This finding explains why kids want to keep playing silly games until parents can't stand it anymore. Laughter is pleasurable, perhaps even "addictive," to the brain.
From http://helpguide.org/:
Laughter is good for your health:
- Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh
relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to
45 minutes after. - Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases
stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting
antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. - Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s
natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of
well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. - Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the
function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect
you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
I turn to old episodes of Seinfeld or The Office if I need a good laugh. When I'm flipping through channels I usually try to find a comedy first. Did you laugh today? Find something that makes you laugh. It's good for you.
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JSMaresca
August 01, 2011
I heard many of things on separate occasions. Laughter does cure most ills- at least temporarily.
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willw2
December 22, 2010
thx :)
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Bethany_K
December 08, 2010
Just tweeted this. Sounds like we should all be laughing much more:) Love the benefits!
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Butterfly1961
September 27, 2010
Excellent review and good facts!! Thank you for the information!
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drifter51
June 05, 2010
Excellent reviews. Some excellent info here. Enjoyed reading this very much.
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woopak_the_thrill
April 23, 2010
mwahahahaha!! (getting my meds) Seen "Patch Adams", it Actually explored this belief? Nice review!
Clay_Miller
April 23, 2010
Good point. I have seen "Patch Adams" and it did show how laughter helps with pain and recovery, especially in children. Thanks.
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devora
April 14, 2010
Whoa, thanks for sharing, Clay! I knew there were health benefits to laughing and being happy, but I did not know these specifics. I'll remember to get my laugh on more often ;D
Clay_Miller
April 15, 2010
Yep, laughing in addition to a healthy lifestyle works wonders. You also have to love the fact that laughing is contagious.
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