A Laugh a Day Keeps The Doctor Away
It’s said, “laughter is the best medicine.” This time-honored phrase dates back to biblical times, but it’s as applicable today as ever! Why? Because laughter is the great equalizer; it brings people together; it simply feels good to laugh. Laughter is a social bonding response that develops in humans as early as 3 months of age. And you have to admit, a baby’s laugh is one of those things that’s hard not to laugh along with!
Laughter affects us in ways that might not be apparent. Its positive effects resonate through our body, mind and spirit. In our busy world we have lost some of our joy of life. In fact statistics bear out that we spend almost 10 to 12 minutes less laughing a day than just 50 years ago. So let’s lighten up, find a little joy in our day, and get back to having some fun. Outlined below are some of the great benefits of doing so.
While this article is not ostensibly about green house cleaning or other home tips, it goes to the root of why we exist as a business at Better Life Maids. We want our clients to have more time to do the things they enjoy, maybe that might be a few extra laughs this week.
Body
When we laugh, endorphins are released throughout the body, which stimulates muscles, nerves, organs and tissues. The result? Endorphins can help relieve chronic pain, ease stress and improve functioning of the immune system. In other words, laughter can literally help heal the body!
Mind
Having happy thoughts naturally leads to a more positive life outlook. When we’re doing things that make us happy, such as having dinner and sharing good conversation with friends, our mood improves and things just seem . . . better.
Conversely, hanging around people who don’t smile or have a negative attitude about life will eventually take a toll on you, even if you typically “walk on the sunny side of the street.” If you find yourself in the company of people like this often, you might consider finding new friends.
Spirit
Laughter inherently lifts our spirits, helping us feel lighter and less troubled – even if it’s only for a short time. Laughter not only helps each individual, it’s also contagious, so when one person in a group starts laughing, others usually quickly follow. Nothing is better than shared laughter!
Laughter and Relationships
A unique bond is created when two people share a funny story or experience a silly situation. When this happens, something special forms between them that only they can relate to. This becomes the inside joke that’s special to (and only understood by) those who’ve shared in the moment.
When two people spend a lot of time together in laughter, a stronger, more ever-lasting relationship develops. Studies have shown that couples who laugh together stay together much longer. While every relationship has its issues, couples that spend a lot of time laughing together have a deeper connection. This doesn’t happen by accident; it can be fostered! By choosing to embrace laughter in our lives, we’re able to get through many more rough spots and be happier and healthier.
Always try to find joy in every situation and laugh as often as possible each day. Also, by spending more time around positive people, who love life and love to laugh, you’ll be amazed at how good you begin to feel from the inside and out!
Fun Facts about Laughter
Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana, has compiled some fascinating facts about laughter for its Library of Life, Love and Laughter:
Laughter lowers the levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol suppresses the immune system. Lowering these levels enhances the work of the immune system and may prevent disease.
You can stimulate your heart and lungs, elevate your blood pressure and improve breathing capacity by laughing.
15 minutes of laughter equals the benefit of 2 hours sleep.
One good belly laugh burns off 3 1/2 calories.
Laughing for 15 seconds adds 2 days to your life span.
According to study by Dr. Michael Titze, a German Psychologist, in the 50’s people use to laugh an average of 18 minutes a day. Today, that’s down to 4 – 6 minutes a day.
Dr. Michael Miller from the University of Maryland found that laughter can improve circulatory and cardiovascular health.
Stanford University studies show a good belly laugh can give you health-boosting benefits equal to 10 minutes on a rowing machine.
Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, AT&T, Lockheed Aircraft, Kodak, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, Southwest Airlines, Bank of America, and many others have adopted ‘humor’ into their workplaces as a tool to increase morale and improve the bottom line.