Sunday, August 8, 2010

10 Reasons Why Laughing is Good for Us


As of late, I have had a few clients that are getting a little too serious and bogged down with their child's issues. It actually, in some cases, was even imparing the child's progress. Children are very perceptive and feel tension and stress. Especially if they feel it is related to them, they can shut down in ways where we cannot reach them to make the needed progress.

I remembered one thing that saved my crazy irish family growing up... laughter. I think we would have all gone mad without it. Read the following article and follow up with the funny quotes. Lighten up and so will your life!

1. Laughter boosts your immune system
Researchers have found that laughter actually boosts the immune system, increasing the number of antibody-producing T cells. This then makes us less likely to get coughs and colds. It also lowers the levels of at least four hormones that are associated with stress, so after a good giggle you should be far less tense and anxious.

2. Laughter relieves pain
A good chortle has been found to reduce pain. Not only does it distract you from aches, but it releases feelgood endorphins into your system that are more powerful than the same amount of morphine.

3. Laughter improves your social life
If you can make people laugh, then you're likely to have more friends, because everyone loves a joker. You're also likely to achieve more at work: if you have a good sense of humour you'll be more productive, a better communicator and team player.

In fact, most things we laugh at aren't necessarily actual jokes, but comments in everyday conversation. Laughter is as much about social relationships as it is about humour.

4. Laughter helps relieve depression
Laughter has long been known to help people who are suffering from the either SAD or full-blown depression. Laughing reduces tension and stress, and lowers anxiety and irritation, which are all major factors that contribute to the blues.

5. Laughter boosts your relationship
If you're looking to find a new partner, then laughter will help you find a new mate. Men love women who laugh in their presence and women actually laugh 125% more than men.

And if you're already with someone, then a shared sense of humour is an important factor in keeping your relationship running smoothly.

6.Laughter gives you a mini-work-out

We've probably all used, or at least heard, the phrase 'my sides ache' after laughing too much. Well, it's no real surprise. A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts your abdominal muscles and also works your shoulders. This will make you feel a lot more relaxed.

In fact, laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike, so break out those Only Fools And Horses DVDs and start watching!

7. Laughter protects your heart
According to a study by heart specialists at the University of Maryland, people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

Laughter has been found to benefit the way blood flows around the body, reducing the likelihood of heart disease. The research said that 15 minutes of laughter a day is as important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week!

8. Laughter lowers your blood pressure
People who laugh a lot on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, the blood pressure increases at first, but then it decreases to levels below normal.

Breathing then becomes deeper and this helps to send oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body.

9. Laughter improves your breathing
Laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect - similar to deep breathing. This is especially helpful for people who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthma.

10. Laughter helps you lose weight
Burning off calories by laughing might not sound as if it has much use, but a hearty chuckle raises the heart rate and speeds up the metabolism.

If you're dieting, think about adding laughter to your exercise regime. A good sitcom might easily keep you laughing for 20 minutes or more.

GET READY TO LAUGH!


Ah, the patter of little feet around the house. There's nothing like having a midget for a butler. -W.C. Fields

Cross country skiing is great, if you live in a small country. -Steven Wright

A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. -Mitch Hedberg

Fatherhood is pretending that the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. -Bill Cosby

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything till noon. That's when it's time for my nap. - Bob Hope

Don't worry about your heart, it will last as long as you live. -W.C. Fields

Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. -George Carlin

Before I speak, I have something important to say. -Groucho Marx

Ever notice irons have a setting for permanent press? I don't get it. -Steven Wright

Dogs are forever in the push up position. -Mitch Hedgberg

A sense of humor is good for you. Have you ever heard of a laughing hyena with heartburn? -Bob Hope

Horse sense it the thing a horse has to keep it from betting on people. -W.C. Fields

A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones that need the advice. -Bill Cosby

I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members. -Groucho Marx

By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth. -George Carlin

Decide that you want it more than you're afraid of it. -Bill Cosby