Laughter And Health - Our Power To Self Heal

Are you aware that laughter and health are very closely connected?

Laughter possesses incredible healing powers which can have a profound effect on both the body and the mind

Laughter and humor have been proven on many levels to be a very effective and powerful tool for self healing.

A saying that's often been used is that laughter is the best medicine.

A great example of this is Norman Cousins. Cousins suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, a rare degenerative disease of the connective tissues that causes the breakdown of collagen.

In 1965, hospitalized, almost completely paralyzed and given just a few months to live, he checked himself out of hospital, and moved into a small hotel room and started his journey of self recovery.

Through high doses of vitamin C and continuous watching of humorous films and TV shows such as Candid Camera and the Marx Brothers his condition slowly improved until such time as he regained full use of his limbs and returned to full-time work.

How and why did this actually happen? Is it really possible to laugh your way back to health?

Well within the medical profession it is now commonly observed that when we laugh, we release natural feel good chemicals called endorphins that help promote a greater sense of well-being and an increased state of relaxation.

Laughter also helps decrease stress hormones and at the same time improves your immune system to help you fight against infection and disease.

As you've probably heard on countless occasions, high levels of stress can have serious effects on your health.

When you are constantly stressed and you allow it to take over your life, you are putting incredible strain on your body.

Stress actually causes dramatic physical changes in your body.

It increases your heart rate, brings on muscle tension, releases stress hormones as I mentioned above, and also stops the digestion process because energy is needed to serve other bodily functions.

This ultimately means that your body has to work much harder than normal to regulate your other bodily functions, which will inevitably take its toll on your overall health, well-being and appearance.

By enjoying life and laughing more you are greatly increasing your chances of staying healthy and looking young.

You may be saying that this is easier said than done! And you may have a point!!

However, it is possible!!!

The best and most effective way to stay happy is simply to direct your focus onto more positive uplifting thoughts, and changing your perception of all things, people and situations around you.

Constantly dwelling on feelings of negativity will lower your energy levels, deplete your immune system and rob your body of the essential feel good chemicals that promote health, vitality and well-being

Here are some simple ways to create more laughter and humor in your life so you can enjoy the benefits of staying healthy and looking young.

1. Do things that are fun, make you laugh and make you feel good.

2. Watch films and sit-coms that are funny.

3. Read a funny, amusing book.

4. Spend time with family and friends who are always upbeat and make you laugh

5. Watch your favorite stand-up comedians.

6. Reminisce with family and friends talking about your funny stories and experiences.

The power of laughter should never be underestimated.

Do all you can to have real good belly laugh at least once a day. Why? Well simply, because humor and health go hand in hand.

Try always to looking on the bright side of life and just be happy... by doing so you will then start experiencing the combined positive effects that laughter and