Learn how laughter increases resilience to stress and illness, strengthens muscles and increases lung capacity, and how to incorporate laughter into your daily life.
Have you ever felt disconnected, like your mind is saying one thing and your body is saying another? One way to make our bodies and minds work in harmony is to , to laugh more often. Most health practices promote a focus not only on physical health, but also on mental and spiritual health, which includes what is referred to as the mind-body connection and whole-body health. The book “Compassionate Laughter-Jest for Life” by Patti Wooten states that being whole means achieving a balance between your physical body, your thoughts, and your spiritual consciousness. The word “heal” comes from the Latin word “haelen,” meaning “to make whole.” Wooten says that allowing yourself to laugh every day, not just during difficult or stressful times, can promote healing. Humor helps us become whole again. Humor stimulates our physical healing, brings emotional peace, and strengthens our will to live.
Merry laughter (laughing at something you find truly funny) has been proven to have a profound effect on your body, mind, and spirit. Laughter is a cardiovascular exercise that makes your heart beat faster, increases blood flow, and delivers more oxygen to your cells. This is also a lung exercise in that you breathe deeper and exhale more fully. Our diaphragm and abdominal muscles are also strengthened by laughing out loud. Cheerful laughter stimulates our immune system and increases our defenses against viruses, bacteria and even cancer.
The book Laughter – A Scientific Investigation by Robert Provin has some tips on how to increase laughter in your daily life.
- Create a safe, casual atmosphere. People who are pressed for time and in a hurry don’t smile much, so try to create an environment where they feel relaxed and safe.
- Always have a smiley attitude. Voluntarily choose to laugh more.
- Harness the contagious effects of laughter. Laugh often and out loud.Laughter brings laughter, so please look for someone who is bright and easy-going..
- Find humorous material. Use jokes, cartoons, videos, fidget toys, interactive toys and games, hats, clothing, art, and more.
- Safely stage social events. Social events such as video chats with friends can bring people together and can maximize your chances of trying many of the tips already mentioned.
Michigan State University Extension offers social-emotional health programs with the following titles: mindful laughter It is part of 5 sessions Reduce stress with mindfulness A series that provides research on the health benefits of mindfulness and strategies on how to incorporate it into your daily life. For more information, visit MSU Extension’s Mindfulness for Better Living website.
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