We’ve all heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” But when was the last time you experienced a true, honest-to-goodness, belly laugh? You know the kind I’m talking about. The one where you laugh, and laugh, and laugh. And then, you stop, take in a few quick “Ah, ah, ah” breathes only to find yourself ramping up for another round of even heartier laughter. And then, you repeat the “Ah, ah, ah” breath and, perhaps, an added “Stop, stop! Oh! My stomach hurts!” Followed again by some more “Ah, ah, ah!” When you finally do stop, your entire body seems to need a rest but in a really good way.
All that laughter is healthy for you in so many ways. Did you know that 10-15 minutes of laughter burns 50 calories? Combining laughter and arm movement can boost your heart rate. And, if you’re feeling run down, laughter can actually give you an energy boost. We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.
So, go ahead – laugh! Laugh until you can’t laugh anymore. And, if you need something to get you started, check out this song by The Cathedrals – (appropriately named) “The Laughing Song!” http://wn.com/the_cathedrals-the_laughing_song
Happy (and healthy) Laughing!
