storytelling

A lot of medical studies have shown the healing power of humor. Lee Berk, M.D.'s years of study has proven that laughter has a significant role in figthing viruses, bacteria, cancer, and heart diseases. In his book, Health, Healing and the Amuse System, Dr. Paul E. McGhee wrote that laughter lowers blood pressure and tress hormones in the blood. "It also reduces pain and strengthens  the immune system. the natural killer cells in the body increase in number and become active. They seek and destroy tumor cells, "added McGhee, Lisa T. Wessan, a certified social worker, stated that laughter increases oxygen supply to the brain and improves memory and cognition. in addition, it relaxes muscles, releases toxins and stress, and helps people to cope. laughter can also provide cardiovascular benefits. William Fry Jr, M.D., a psychiatrist from Standford University, found that 15 minutes of laughter equals 10 minutes on a rowing machine and 15 minutes on a stationary bike in reaching the same heart pulse rate. laughter is as good as exercise.

Considering the benefits of laughter to our health, we need to learn to laugh at ourselves or at least to see humor in difficult situations. Unfortunately, our daily life does not always give us enough reasons to laugh. Continuous stress also seems to make some people forget how to laugh. Some others just do not have a sense others just do not have a sense of humor.

Most of us do not know that the healing power of humor originates not only from spotaneous but also from stimulated laughter. Both kind of laughter are always effective. This is exactly the reason why some people join laughter or comedy clubs. There are about 1,300 of them all over the world. These clubs aim at helping people learn how to stimulate laughter anytime they need to. "Laughing together without reason for a healthy life" is a concept promoted by the followers of laughter therapy, A typical laughter session does not even involve jokes. It requires people simply to laugh, stretch their no body, and do various breathing exercises. In this session the participants do not have to laugh their heads off, a simple giggle or chuckle will do. Even more anticipation of laughing could help. In one of this researches, Berk tested 16 healthy men. Only half of the men were told that in three days time they would see a comedy video. The members of this group experienced a drop in stress hormones and an increase in chemicals taht benefit in immune system. These changes became even more noticeable as it got closer to show time.

So, are you in need of a spirit and health boost without a prescription? Then laugh more because laughter is as important to your well-being as frequent exercise, good nutrition, and enough rest. And remember what William James, a spiritual psychologist, once said, "We don't laugh because we're happy, but we're happy because we laugh."