“Laughter is one of the first things that we learn as infants because a sense of humor is in our very DNA” – Melanie Jean Juneau
Do You Get Your 15-20 Minutes of Laughter a Day?
Humans begin laughing at about 3.5 to 4 months of age. And if you're lucky, you'll continue for the rest of your life. When done in a positive light, laughter is freeing and stress relieving, offering so much benefit that some experts recommend everyone get 15 to 20 minutes of laughter a day, much like you should exercise regularly and eat your vegetables.
Laughter Is Good for Your Health
Laughter makes you feel good, but it's also good for your physical health. Perhaps one of the most well-known forerunners of "the science of happiness" was Norman Cousins, who in 1964 was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease. After being given a one in 500 chance of recovery, Cousins created his own laughter therapy program, which he claims was the key to his ultimate recovery.
Indeed, research has shown laughter may reduce stress hormones and boost your immune function, while also inducing optimistic feelings.7Laughter has demonstrated a wealth of physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and quality-of-life benefits, such that increasing numbers of health care centers are adopting laughter therapy as a form of complementary care.
This is just a short list of the benefits of laughter therapy that studies have proven:
· Relaxing your muscles
· Triggering the release of your body’s natural painkiller (endorphin)
· Improving sleep
· Enhancing creativity and memory
· Easing digestion
· Enhancing oxygen intake
· Improving well-being and positive emotion
· Boosting immune function
· Improving blood pressure
So, did you get your 15-20 minutes of laughter today? Start Now. Make it your lifestyle. Let your lifestyle be your medicine!
dr. Sarah Akbari@The House
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