Laugh Your Way to Stress Relief
Laughter is one of the best medicines for Sickness, depression, anxiety, relaxation, respiration and stress. It is a great way to release tension, and to improve the outlook of your day. Let’s face it, even after a really bad day having a good laugh can help put everything into perspective.
But wait there’s more… The benefits of laughter actually go deeper than we realize. There are several reactions within your body that occur when you laugh and they all directly help with Stress Relief and the release of tension.
Laughter is more than a Stress Relief Technique
Dr. Lee Burk has been researching the effects of laughter on the body. To this moment their published research has shown that laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts the immune system. Even more interesting is that Laughter creates a state opposite to stress in your body … in other words … laughter creates healthy or positive emotions and is a great method of Natural Stress Relief
Other benefits of laughter include:
· Increased aerobic activity which gives your diaphragm a work-out and increases your body’s ability to circulate oxygen.
· An increase in positive emotions that can assist in the fight of disease.
· Reduction of stress hormones including epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth hormone.
· Improved and strengthened immune system.
· Improved blood pressure. This seems to have a more noticeable effect in women.
· The cleansing of your lungs and respiratory system. When you laugh you empty your lungs and breathe fresh air into your respiratory system.
Turn that Frown Upside Down
In 1931 a team of scientists discovered that it takes 50 Muscles to frown and only 13 Muscles to smile. After reading this I came to realize 3 solid conclusions; Scientists really do have far too much time on their hands, it is far easier to be cheerful than to be grumpy and you will use less energy if you view your day from a happy perspective.