LAUGHTER: Indeed the best medicine anyone can afford!

As we celebrate International day of happiness today, I want to incite you to release your happy juices regardless of the circumstances you are going through. A simple way to get those juices flowing is through laughter! Yes, you heard me right. How does laughter make you happy you may ask? Well, read further and you will see some empirical backings to my advice.
WHAT IS LAUGHTER?
Making sounds and movements with your face that show that you are happy or think that something is funny.
Therapeutic laughter is any intervention that promotes health by stimulating a playful discovery, expression or appreciation of the absurdity of life’s situations
In 1964, Norman Cousins published his work, “Anatomy of an illness”. He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, which is a crippling condition. He was given a 1 in 500 chance of recovery.
Norman decided to infuse himself with his self-designed humor treatment and discovered that 15 minutes of steady laughter produced two hours of pain-free sleep. Eventually, he was able to completely reverse the illness.
Interest in humor has grown so much that the field has a name – getology which is the physiological study of laughter.
Funny huh?
Well, Professors of medicine, Lee Berk and Stanley Ian, in 1989 discovered these about laughter:
·        It triggers an increase in the levels of gamma interferon (a disease fighting protein)
·        It increases the levels of T cells (major part of immune response)
·        It increases the levels of B cells (create disease fighting antibodies)
·        It increases the concentration of salivary immunoglobin A which prevents respiratory tract infections
·        Improves lung capacity and blood oxygen levels thus it is one of the best exercises for asthma and bronchitis
·        Laughing 100 times is equivalent to a 10 – 15 minute workout.

3 STAGES OF LAUGHTER:
·        Emotional –triggering the feeling
·        Cognitive – mental understanding of the situation
·        Motor-movement of facial muscles

BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER: 
Social:
·        Release of tension and anxiety
·        Promotes awareness: you will indeed be noticed!
·        Forms and strengthens relationships
·        Helps to you to experience joy, enthusiasm and delight
Physical:
·        Increases respiration
·        Increases blood circulation
·        Aids hormonal and digestive enzyme secretion
·        Aids in leveling your blood pressure
·        Improves memory
·        Improves immune system
In essence, let us laugh as much as we can. Laugh at your situations, laugh with your friends and family or just watch a comedy! If not for the health benefits, because it makes you feel good! Think about it - nothing feels better.
Make 2017 a laughter filled year and see how much fun the year will bring for you!

Written by Kaseina Dashe

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