Happy Tuesday! Dr. Kelly here. HaHa – Laughter It really Heals!
Reduces Stress
When we laugh, our brain releases endorphins – our body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
Immune system boost
Laughter enhances the immune system by increasing the production of immune cells and antibodies.
Pain management
Those endorphins that help with stress are also natural painkillers.
Cognitive benefits
Laughter stimulates the brain. A study showed that a group watching a funny video for 20 mins performed better on memory tests!
Here is a link to a YouTube video I found of people laughing:
Here are some ways to laugh:
- Find humor in everyday life: you can train yourself to find humor in ordinary situations. Sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to see the lighter side of life.
- Watch comedy shows and movies.
- Laughter is contagious. The more you are around laughter, the more you laugh!
- I love this one. Spend time with Funny People. I am a serious person, not one to crack the joke. So, surround yourself with friends and family that have a good sense of humor. Engage in conversation or activities that make you laugh. Social laughter can be incredibly infectious.
- Play with pets. Animals can evoke genuine laughter and bring immense joy.
- Engage in playful activities. This could be board games, silly challenges, trying out creative arts and crafts projects.
- I have never done this or don’t know where one is, but there are laughter yoga, laughter meditation and laughter workshops.
- Learn to laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously!
Remember, laughter is a natural and spontaneous expression of joy. Embrace opportunities to laugh and find what works best for you!
Text or respond to this email if you know of a laughter yoga, meditation, or workshop class.
Yours in Healthy Naturally,