What's good for the soul? The answer is simple...laughter, good old fashioned laughter. I love deep belly laughing, or crying and laughing at the same time, or laughing so hard that you end up snorting, laughing so hard that your stomach and cheeks hurt, man those are the best!
Do you get enough of it? I know I don't. Can you ever truly get enough of it? Remember the old saying, "Laughter is medicine?", well I believe that it is. I believe that laughter is good for our soul, our mind and our body. Laughter reinforces and brings about a positive emotional state of which promotes overall well-being.
Studies indicate that laughter boosts the immune system and triggers the release of pleasure-inducing neurochemicals in the brain. In the central nervous system, the brain also releases endorphins as a result of laughing. Endorphins are natural, morphine-like compounds that raise the pain threshold, produce sedation and induce euphoria. We feel better when we laugh because endorphins reduce physical and mental pain. Laughter lowers blood pressure, increases blood flow, reduces blood-sugar levels, relaxes the body, relieves tension and stress and burns calories.
Sometimes we may laugh by ourself while watching a funny movie or when we do something silly, but most of the time laughing involves other people. Laughing brings people together and bonds them, it's a great way to connect with others and connecting with others through laughter is therapeutic and promotes well-being.
Did you know that you can even do a laughter meditation? You can do it by yourself, but it's easier with a group. All you have to do is just start laughing, yep that's it just laugh. It will feel awkward and forced for a few seconds, but pretty soon you'll start to genuinely laugh at how silly the attempt at fake laughing is. You only have to do it for a minute of so to reap the benefit. Notice how you feel before you start and again when you are done with the laughing meditation.
Give yourself permission to laugh. Look for the opportunities to create laughter for yourself and others. Be light, be playful, be silly. Turn on a funny movie or stand up comedy act, turn up the music, dance, laugh and be silly, reminisce and share funny stories. When you hear laughter, move toward it, ask what's so funny. Laugh at yourself and share with others your funny, even embarrassing moments. Spend more time with funny, fun and playful people. Look for the humor in challenging situations. Give yourself visual reminders to be playful and laugh.
Life can feel serious, weighted, heavy, overwhelming and busy if we let it. Loosen up a little, have some fun and don't take life so serious, interject some laughter instead.
Do you get enough of it? I know I don't. Can you ever truly get enough of it? Remember the old saying, "Laughter is medicine?", well I believe that it is. I believe that laughter is good for our soul, our mind and our body. Laughter reinforces and brings about a positive emotional state of which promotes overall well-being.
Studies indicate that laughter boosts the immune system and triggers the release of pleasure-inducing neurochemicals in the brain. In the central nervous system, the brain also releases endorphins as a result of laughing. Endorphins are natural, morphine-like compounds that raise the pain threshold, produce sedation and induce euphoria. We feel better when we laugh because endorphins reduce physical and mental pain. Laughter lowers blood pressure, increases blood flow, reduces blood-sugar levels, relaxes the body, relieves tension and stress and burns calories.
Sometimes we may laugh by ourself while watching a funny movie or when we do something silly, but most of the time laughing involves other people. Laughing brings people together and bonds them, it's a great way to connect with others and connecting with others through laughter is therapeutic and promotes well-being.
Did you know that you can even do a laughter meditation? You can do it by yourself, but it's easier with a group. All you have to do is just start laughing, yep that's it just laugh. It will feel awkward and forced for a few seconds, but pretty soon you'll start to genuinely laugh at how silly the attempt at fake laughing is. You only have to do it for a minute of so to reap the benefit. Notice how you feel before you start and again when you are done with the laughing meditation.
Give yourself permission to laugh. Look for the opportunities to create laughter for yourself and others. Be light, be playful, be silly. Turn on a funny movie or stand up comedy act, turn up the music, dance, laugh and be silly, reminisce and share funny stories. When you hear laughter, move toward it, ask what's so funny. Laugh at yourself and share with others your funny, even embarrassing moments. Spend more time with funny, fun and playful people. Look for the humor in challenging situations. Give yourself visual reminders to be playful and laugh.
Life can feel serious, weighted, heavy, overwhelming and busy if we let it. Loosen up a little, have some fun and don't take life so serious, interject some laughter instead.
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