Laughing Just for the Health of It

Stressed? Need a lift? Just open wide and say HA! No prescription necessary. Just laugh. We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine, and that’s no joke! Laughter boosts the immune system, reduces the effects of stress, lowers blood pressure, lifts spirits, eases anxiety, improves circulation and even helps reduce pain. A hearty laugh exercises the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Laughter Yoga professionals like to call it “jogging” for your insides. It’s energizing. It even burns calories. Preliminary studies have shown that even anticipating laughter helps raise our endorphin levels, promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels.

When we breathe, especially when under stress, we typically replace only about a third of the air in our lungs. At times, we even unwittingly hold our breath. Practicing laughter helps expand lung capacity to increase the intake of vital oxygen. This renewed air supply feeds the brain, bloodstream and every cell in the body. It helps with detoxification. It trains us to be more conscious of our breathing.

Laughter is an example of the mind-body connection. Laughter sends our body messages to relax, be happy and be present. It also improves our skills for coping with life’s challenges by reminding us not to take our minor problems and ourselves so seriously. Laughter, a natural expression of joy, creates positive energy that flows out into the world having a favorable effect on others.

All we need is to give ourselves permission to let go and laugh. Laughter helps us connect with our playful side, our little inner five year old.

In truth, we can laugh as an exercise just for the health of it. Once we open our “laughter channel”, laughing will become easier and we will start to laugh more often.

Tips to find more laughter in your life:

• Rent funny movies, read comics and funny books.
• Spend time with fun friends or family members
• Go to a comedy club
• Dial a smile. Call the Laugh Line, a free conference call where you can laugh 12 times a day with a Laughter Yoga Leader and people from all over the US.
Visit http://www.laughteryogaonthephone.com/ for details.
• Join a laughter group http://www.laughteryoga.org/
• Laugh alone. Laugh in your car on your way to work. You can reduce your stress in just a matter of a minute or two. Once you start you may not want to stop.

Performing laughter exercises prior to public speaking, taking an exam, interviewing for a job or any stressful situation can help reduce tension and build confidence. Like any exercise, the more we practice, the easier it gets.
Wow! Isn’t it wonderful that something so fun and easy is healthy too?



Our guest blogger this week is Meg Scott. Meg is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Her 2-day Laughter Yoga Leader training workshop is designed for individuals interested in leading Laughter Clubs or incorporating the techniques in existing exercise or group programs. You can reach her at megscott35@gmail.com or call 614-216-9371. Her work can be seen at her website, http://www.laughteryogawithmegscott.com/ .

Rejuvenate Yourself with Silence......sshhh...ahh.....

Life is hectic and it seems like we are constantly on the move. Especially now with the holiday season, there are even more activities to fill our days.

All the more reason to seek a moment of quiet time,

We are surrounded by sounds. There is traffic, radio and TV, phones and other equipment, and people all around us.

All this noise keeps our senses in a hyper-aware state. It is important to allow your body and your mind to escape from the noise. It slows the heart and breathing. It induces the "rest and repose" side of your nervous system, rather than the "fight or flight" side. That F & F side taxes our adrenal glands, which puts more pressure on the immune system. We need R & R in our body to balance and rebuild your immune system.

You say you don't have time for quiet? You don't have the place to be quiet?

How about 5 minutes - at the beginning of the day as you lay in bed. Perhaps 10 minutes before you go to bed - a great way to calm yourself and get to sleep more easily.

Here's a few tips for taking a few minutes of quiet time for yourself:
- Try driving home with the radio off. It will give you time to process your day. Use this time to be grateful for the people in your life.
- Take a bath. Soak in hot water, close your eyes, and just listen to your breathing. Add a little lavender essential oil to calm your nervous system.
- Go into your bedroom, close the door, lay on the floor with your legs in the air, up against a wall, or just prop them up bent on the seat of a chair or the side of your bed. With eyes closed, take slow deep belly breaths and let your mind wander for 10 minutes.

These tips will help you will feel rejuvenated and refreshed!

The Gift of Massage

Massage therapy has been shown to address serious health issues by relieving symptoms associated with a variety of conditions. Here’s a look at just some of the ways in which massage therapy can be effective. Massage therapy

Relieves Back Pain
Treats Migraines
Eases Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Reduces Anxiety
Alleviates Side Effects of Cancer
Lowers Blood Pressure

Words like “relaxation” and “pampering” are often used to describe a person’s idea of a good massage. In fact, 26 percent of the 39 million Americans who got a massage last year say it’s for relaxation or stress reduction, according to a recent survey commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Only 11 percent say it was to pamper themselves. Although relaxation plays an important role in one’s overall health and wellness, another 30 percent of those surveyed say they get massage therapy for medical/health reasons specifically.

So give the gift of good health to your loved ones this year.