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Friday, July 8, 2011

Lightening up

I realized something today.  I don't laugh enough.  I don't laugh often enough and I don't laugh hard enough.  You know, that can't catch your breath, crying, think you might throw up sort of laughing.  I used to laugh like that all the time.

I miss it.

So if you see me laughing, join me.  We'll both feel better.

2 comments:

Sarah Reese said...

I think one much make time for laughter. I cracked myself up today smishing ants on a computer game. The sound of my laughter cheered me as much as the laughter itself.

I don't know about this theologically, but am convinced God wants us to be happy.

Shaman said...

There is clearly something to the old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine," as the clinical research over the last decades demonstrates.

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional 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.

And a good place to start is to laugh at ourselves.