Laugh! It's good for your health!

"A Merry Heart doeth good like a medicine." - The Old Testament

Laughter is such an important thing to having a healthy lifestyle. I promote the laughter of all people everyday! Laughing makes you feel so good and I aim to do it as often as I can.

It's GREAT for your body:

• Reduces Pain: When we laugh our body creates endorphins which acts as a natural pain killer. 
• Boots Immune Functioning: Genuine laughter increases the production of T-Cells, interferon, and immune proteins known as globulins.
• A Natural Relaxer: Cortisol is a hormone released by our own body when we are under stress but when you laugh the levels of cortisol are significantly reduced and decreases stress.
• Emotional and Intellectual Health: Regular doses of laughter increases emotional an intellectual health. It helps us to keep things in perspective, makes it easier to face our fears, to be less critical of ourselves and others, and even triggers creativity. 

Here are some steps to take to laugh and smile a little more:

• Make a conscience effort to smile at people more.
• List three things that made you laugh, happy or greateful each night before you go to bed.
• Make a "humor file". Fill it with funny jokes, cartoons, pictures, etc., and the next time you are having a crummy day pull it out.
• Try to spend time each day with people who make you laugh. Laughter is contagious :-)
• Reminisce - Think of funny and happy events that have occurred in the past. Call up a friend and talk about the good times.
• Don't forget to play! Think of things you enjoyed doing as a child. Go to the zoo, color, get messy with finer-paint, go bowling, etc.