Laugh More, Live Longer

Patients, doctors and health-care professionals are all finding that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.

Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter is infectious. Hospitals around the country are incorporating formal and informal laughter therapy programs into their therapeutic regimens. In countries such as India, laughing clubs -- in which participants gather in the early morning for the sole purpose of laughing -- are becoming as popular as Rotary Clubs in the United States.

Humor is a universal language. It's a contagious emotion and a natural diversion. It brings other people in and breaks down barriers. Best of all it is free and has no known side reactions.

Tips for More laughter in Your Life
Enda Junkins
www.laughtertherapy.com

1. Practice laughing 5 min/day. Fake it till you make it.

2. Look for humor around you--on signs, in people's behavior, on TV, in the newspaper, the things others say, the crazy things that happen to you.

3. Share your embarrassing moments with other people.

4. Learn to play with things that are serious like work, social issues, money, etc. For example, use word play, silly songs, or develop a comical view of the issue to help you laugh and cope.

5. Laugh with other people when they laugh.

6. Wear a smile. It puts you closer to laughing.

7. Seek out entertainment which makes you laugh.

8. Amuse yourself with your own sense of humor.

9. Cultivate your innate playfulness.

10. Be creative with fun.
.
11.Make sure you have fun.

12. Give yourself permission to laugh at anything you need to.

13. Do at least one silly, non-conforming thing a day.

Copyright © 2001 BayState Web Technologies, Inc.
All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of BlackBostonOnline.com content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of BayState Web Technologies, Inc.