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Carolyn Smagalski
Adversity
Founder - Editor - Host
Have you laughed today? I mean, had a real belly laugh?
Laughing is an actual aerobic workout. Researchers estimate
that laughing 100 times is equal to
10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise
bike. Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in
vascular blood flow. Your blood actually becomes oxygenated,
which further assists healing. Laughter gives your diaphragm
and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a
workout. It is no strange wonder that you feel exhausted
after a long stretch of hearty laughter.
 Mark Twain wrote, "Humor is the great
thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our
irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes
their place."
There are documented psychological benefits to having a good
laugh. The American Association for Therapeutic Humor deems
laughter as cathartic, a harmless way for releasing the
emotions of anger, fear and sadness. Negative emotions, if
held inside, cause biochemical changes that can adversely
effect the body.
Laughter basically brings balance to all the components of the
immune system, which helps us fight off diseases. This is
because it destroys stress hormones that suppress the immune
system. These stress hormones can increase the number of
blood platelets that can cause obstructions in arteries and
raise blood pressure.
Laughter also promotes an increase in natural cells that
destroy tumors and viruses, increases disease-fighting
proteins, and creates disease-destroying antibodies in the
blood.
It clears the respiratory tract, and defends
against infectious organisms that enter the body through our
respiration system.
"Humor is something that thrives between man's aspirations and
his limitations. There is more logic in humor than in anything
else. Because, you see, humor is truth," said Victor Borge.
Lin Yutang adds, "This I conceive to be the chemical function
of humor: to change the character of our thought."
Content copyright © 2003-2008 by Carolyn Smagalski. All rights
reserved. This content was written by Carolyn Smagalski.
If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need
written permission.
Contact Carolyn Smagalski
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