Laughter is Medicine

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

This week can be a stressful week and you may become overwhelmed, feel pressured, and become anxious as you prepare to cook a thanksgiving meal and share it with those closest to your heart. If you find yourself in this predicament, I want you to laugh. Yes, you read my words right. I want you to laugh during the stressful moments, take a deep breath and then exhale. I love to laugh. And if you know me, you know this to be true about me.

Laughter is one of the best medicines and it’s free. According to the Humana website, “we change physiologically when we laugh.1 Laughter shuts down the release of stress hormones like cortisol. It also triggers the production of feel-good neurochemicals—such as dopamine—which have calming, antianxiety benefits.2 In a large sense, laughter induces physical changes in your body that improve stress symptoms”.

 Here are some other possible health benefits of laughter:

·         Laughter stimulates circulation (increases blood flow) and muscle relaxation.

·         The neuropeptides released from positive thoughts help fight stress and other serious illnesses.

·         Laughter relieves pain.

·         Laughter helps you connect and bond with people.

·         Laughter can lighten the mood and help you deal with difficult situations.

·         Endorphins are released when we laugh which makes you feel better overall and improves your mood.

·         Laughing can burn calories.

This thanksgiving week, spread some laughter with your family and friends. Share your love and gratitude. And most importantly, have fun. Life can be hard, but it can also be funny.

One last thing to remember about laughter - it is contagious. If it’s one thing we can spread contagiously this season, it is laughter. Your health and wellness will thank you for it!

Blessings to you all,

Suzanne