Heard the old saying, "smile God loves you?" Not only is that true but it is also good for your health, physiologically (body) and psychologically (mind). Research has found that children smile about 400 times a day while adults smile only about 14 times a day. You have to respect a person who can smile and have a good attitude, even in times of trouble, sorrow and/or pain. You may not always feel like laughing, but you can smile ... it will change your mood and attitude towards your troubles. The Bible says laughter is good for you and it is also a good testimony to others, if you are a Christian. Psalms 126:2, "Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them." Even when you are sick, in great sorrow, depressed or whatever, trust in the Lord, smile, laugh a little and you will be amazed at how much better you will feel. Psalms 51:8, "Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice."
Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol (termed the stress hormone but also is involved in glucose metabolism, regulation of blood glucose, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, helps your immune system and inflammatory response), epinephrine and/or adrenaline (these are naturally occurring processes involving the "fight or flight" response - released in response to a perceived threat to the body), dopamine (is important in behavior and affects sleep, moods, attention and learning to name a few.) Laughter increases the level of hormones like endorphins which help in natural pain and stress fighters. Laughter increases the number of anti-body producing cells. Antibodies become attached to antigens (a substance that when introduced into the body stimulates the production of antibodies) on infectious organisms like toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, etc. Antibodies can render these substances harmless or even destroy them. Laughter increases the number of T-cells. T-cells are a type of blood cells that belong to a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes. WBC's protect the body from infections. All the above means is a stronger immune system as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
A good "belly-laugh will exercise the diaphragm. Laughter contracts the abs and even works out your shoulders, leaving the muscles more relaxed. It also provides a workout for your heart because it increases vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood.
Laughter will take your focus away from anger, stressful and/or negative emotions. It puts you in a more cheerful and positive frame of mind. Instead of viewing something or someone as a threat, view it or them as a challenge. Later ... what will it matter anyway? As you look back you can usually find yourself laughing about things that happened in the past that made you so angry or stressful. Have you ever told someone you had to either laugh or cry? Well, laughter certainly helps in a case like that because it provides an emotional and/or physical release. A personal note here: My husband was a dairy farmer. I went to the milk barn one day, all dressed up, to tell him I was leaving. I opened the door just a tiny bit to say goodbye and was plastered from head to toe with cow manure. It was spring and the cows had been on very green grass. I was so mad I cried. Now as I look back, I can laugh about it. I'm sure there are many examples in your life when instead of getting angry or upset ... you could and should have just laughed about it.
Benefits of Laughter:
- Boosts immunity, lowers stress hormones, decreases pain, relaxes muscles throughout the body, increases antibodies in saliva that combat upper respiratory infections as well as improves ventilation thus helping reduce respiratory conditions, secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers, conditions the abdominal muscles, helps move nutrients and oxygen to body tissues and prevents heart disease by reducing blood pressure and heart rate.
- Adds joy and excitement to life, eases anxiety, fear and anger, releases stress, has positive benefits on mental functions, changes prospective and improves your mood making you feel better.
- Strengthens relationships, attracts others to us, helps diffuse conflicts and helps you stay emotionally healthy.
Laughter is contagious ... try it more often, you'll like it!
The best thing about laughter is
"IT DOES NOT COST ANYTHING!"
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