It’s often said, “laughter is the best medicine.” Another popular belief is that the best doctor is the one who gives the least medicine. At
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state will support good health.”
~Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.
Laughter is good for your health.
- Laughter relaxes the whole body: A good, hearty laugh relives physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
- Laughter boosts the immune system: Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
- Laughter triggers the release of endorphins: Endorphins are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. They promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Laughter protects the heart: Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
There is a link between laughter and mental health.
- Laughter dissolves distressing emotions: You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
- Laughter helps you relax and recharge: It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.
- Humor shifts perspective: It allows you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Laughter makes you feel good. The natural high you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh or a smile can go a long way toward making you feel better. Laughter is very co
ntagious! Just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join the fun.
Incorporating more humor and play into your daily interactions can improve the quality of your love relationships as well as connections with co-workers, family members, and friends. Using humor and laughter in relationships allows you to:
• Be more spontaneous: Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.
• Let go of defensiveness: Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
• Release inhibitions: Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.
• Express your true feelings: Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface.
So don’t forget to laugh today! Enjoy your time with friends and family. Put down the cell phone, turn off the television, and have a real conversation with those around you. Your health and life might just depend on letting go!
Save the Date!
FREE “Smoothology” Class – Learn to make delicious smoothies that will help you lose weight and build muscle.
April 16th at 6:00pm
Register today by calling our Roanoke, Virginia chiropractic office at 1-540-344-1055 or by emailing us!
Dr. Daryl Rich, DC, CSCS
