I’m sure you have probably heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Interestingly, it is believed that the quote originated from the bible, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. So this wisdom has been around for a while.
When was the last time you had a good laugh?
If you answer today, then you are certainly on the right track. If you answered within the past hour, that’s even better. If you have to think when the last time you had a good chuckle, then I strongly suggest that you keep reading.
Laughter is strong medicine for the mind and the body and is a powerful remedy to stress, pain, and conflict.
In her book Goddesses Never Age, author Dr. Christiane Northrup states, “Laughter has many proven benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, greater immunity, improved memory and circulation, and better blood oxygenation. Laughter also reduces pain by increasing your beta-endorphins, which are feel-good neurotransmitters.” She also states, “Deep laughter from the belly floods you with nitric oxide.”
Nitric oxide is a molecule that our body produces to help its 50 trillion cells communicate with each other by transmitting signals throughout the entire body.
Dr. Northrup explains that when nitric oxide is released, even though it may only last a few seconds, it sets off a chain reaction of other feel good chemicals in the body that causes a shift in your energy and a deep sense of relaxation.
Simply put, laughter makes you feel good, physically and emotionally. It’s infectious, too! The sound of laughter is far more contagious than the common cold. And the good feeling that you get remains even when the laughter subsides. Even as I write this, I am cracking up as I reminisce of funny times of past.
Remember those sleep overs where you giggled all night long? Or, laughing so hard that your face hurt (now that’s really exercising those facial muscles)? Or, trying to tell someone a joke or something funny but you couldn’t talk because you were laughing so hard?
Laughter has no negative side effects unless you consider pee’ing your pants on occasion a bad thing.
Need some inspiration:
- Dare someone not to laugh and start acting goofy (l love doing this to my kids ;-))
- Add a “H” in front of each vowel – Ha, He, Hi, Ho, Hu and say it really fast, 10X
- Don’t take yourself so seriously, seriously!
- Watch funny videos, they are so easy to find on YouTube
- Be playful with your co-workers or family
- Be spontaneous
- Smile (it’s the first step to laughing)
This priceless medicine is fun, free, and simple. Fun is a fundamental nutrient needed for living healthy, vibrant lives.
Hey, have your heard the one where a guy walks into a bar……….
