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Research has shown laughing every day has serious health benefits and can help you live longer. So hang up your sneakers (for a few minutes) and plop yourself down in front of your favorite TV comedy show.
First of all, Burns Calories and Tones Muscles. Did you know yukking it up with 10 to 15 minutes of laughter a day can burn up to 40 calories? That means if you watch a funny 90-minute film, you can burn up to 240 calories—just enough to take care of that candy bar you snacked on during the movie. Have you ever laughed so hard your stomach hurt? It turns out a good laugh session can also tone your abs because laughter engages your diaphragm muscles and your core. Now that’s a workout you can look forward to doing every day.
Secondly, Lowers Cortisol. The same study about memory recall also revealed that people who laugh and enjoy humor have much lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. We all know stress can do a number on your body and mind, but laughter can help counteract those effects. Lowered cortisol has many benefits like keeping your blood sugar levels low and reducing inflammation in the body. Less cortisol also means better sleep, so read a funny book before bed and you’ll have sweeter dreams.
Also, Protects Against Heart Disease. A good laugh works wonders for your circulation and oxygenation. The act of laughing immediately boosts heart rate, respiratory activity, and oxygen consumption. This uptick in activity is followed by muscle relaxation and a decrease in your cardiovascular activity. The result? Your heart and lungs get a workout that keeps your blood pumping smoothly, lowers blood pressure over time, and helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
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Furthermore, Improves Memory Recall. Laughter is good for your brain, say researchers at Loma Linda University in California. During a study of older adults in their 60s and 70s, participants who watched funny videos performed better on memory tests than participants who sat quietly before the test. The people who laughed had a 43.6% improvement in their memory recall abilities. Maybe that’s why you remember funny stories better than sad ones.
Finally, Boosts Natural Killer Cell Activity. Laughter’s stress-reduction power helps improve natural killer cell activity in your body, which can increase resistance to disease and improve the health of people with cancer or HIV disease. So-called “laughter yoga” and humor therapy—in which participants generate voluntary laughter—have become a popular treatment for cancer patients and people with immune system disorders. In addition to the physical health benefits, laughter boosts mental health and coping skills. When faced with disease, humor can add a humanizing element to treatment protocol and boost your spirit and mood. A little silliness goes a long way in disease prevention and treatment. On a day-to-day basis, laughter can also ward off a simple cold or the flu.
While laughter may not necessarily be the best medicine, it can often be a safe, fun and effective one. No joke!
Source: Ghanaarticles.com
