laughter ~ the best medicine?
Don’t buy into a bunch of fad stress relief pills that you saw on television. There is no magic cure for stress. Oh, how I wish there were! I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine.” Did you know that really is true? It helps relieve the everyday stress of life! Honest, it does!
So how does laughter work exactly? Well, laughter works on several levels to make us feel better and less stressed. First, laughter works to relieve stress physically. When we laugh, stress hormones in our blood, like cortisol, are actually reduced. Laughter also gives us a mini workout, which improves out health and releases hormones that make us feel happier. Lastly, when we laugh, it helps boost our immune system. The stronger our immune system is, the better we feel and the more prepared we are to combat stress.
High cortisol is also one of those nasty things that causes us to gain weight around the middle areas, so laughter can even be good exercise! How cool is that? Less stress and less fat! Double bonus!
Laughter helps us emotionally release stress as well. Our bodies are designed to release excess emotions physically through acts such as laughing and crying. When we laugh, it releases some of our negative emotions as well. It can also change the thoughts that promote our emotions. Laughter helps us think more positively, worry less, and be less stressed. Even if laughter doesn’t promote positive thinking, it can make us forget about our negative thoughts and feel better.
In addition to stress relief, laughing has also been show to help you eat less, boost your immune system, increase your pain threshold, and even help you heal faster. So don’t delay. Whether it means going to a funny movie or laughing for no good reason at all, start laughing your way to a less stressful life today.
Well, what are you waiting for? Laugh! I’m funny aren’t I? Well, at least I tried. Go rent a funny movie and laugh away your worries, and maybe even a pound or two!
technorati tags: laughter, weight loss, stress relief, laughing, cortisol, stress, stress free, worries, worry
Like this post? Click here to rent me a movie and save my sanity. Thank you!
Before you go, don't forget to
Subscribe in a reader for updates.
April 25th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Laughter does help with stress. For me, good music really helps too, and helps me to concentrate.
April 25th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Man, I get so stressed out very easily. It’s really bad. I just don’t seem to know how to relax. Everyone comments about it too, my friends and family. *shakes head*. I wish laughing would work for me! But often times I find it hard to laugh. Either people don’t have anything funny to say or nothing is funny. It’s really bad. Am I going crazy!?
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 am
It is amazing to how your body responds to positivity compared to stress. I agree that those that live longer are those that really live in the moment and enjoy their lives.
May 2nd, 2007 at 11:09 am
I’m a true believer in laughter as well.
You’ll see when we meet on Friday! 
We’ll be giggling away
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I think it all comes down to embracing moments that make you smile and forgetting about the ones that don’t. Thinking positively can keep us going.