Friday, December 17, 2010

The Importance of Laughter to our Health :o)

Great Article :o)

Here are some important of laughter to our 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.

• Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.

• Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

• Humor shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.

• Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.

• Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.

• Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface

Lower blood pressure

• Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood

• Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline

• Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.

• Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores

• Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

Don't be alarmed if you see me laughing for no reason!! Bahahahaha

~Alyssa