Laughter is industrial strength cleanser for mind and body. It’s also one of the best beautifiers. Regular laughers have an enviable look; ‘upturned’ faces, twinkling eyes and roses that bloom in the cheeks. Their ‘wrinkles are in all the right places’, as the saying goes.
Undeniably it’s one of the YUMMIEST strategies for healthy aging.
I assumed the biggest benefit of laughing was how one looks and feels, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I conducted a full investigation and found countless studies confirming health benefits to every major system and organ of the body. To save you time I’ve highlighted all the key points below. The conclusion is for YUMMY AGERS is to engage in laughter multiple times a day for maximum benefit. This may require lightening up, not taking life and self tooooo seriously and adjusting the lenses from which we view the world to see the abundant humour in everyday life.
LIVE LONGER
A Norwegian study found that adults who see humour in life are 35% more likely to live longer than those who don’t.
A recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland found that laughter along with a sense of humour may prevent heart attacks.
GET HEALTHY
Laughter has been found to reduce blood pressure.
Laughter flushes the lungs of stale residual air.
Laughter promotes circulation in lymphatic system.
Laughter stimulates heart and blood circulation.
Laughter can improve lung capacity and increases net supply of oxygen to the body.
Laughter boosts the immune system.
Laughter lowers levels of epinephrine and cortisol (stress hormones) and ups the levels of endorphins – (feel good hormones, natural pain killers, natural opiates known for relaxing effects).
Laughter helps you sleep, by reducing stress and depression making it easier to get to sleep.
Laughter enhances problem solving skills.
GET GORGEOUS
Laughter contracts and tones the facial muscles.
Laughter improves colour and provides an inner and outer glow of good health, happiness and joy.
Laughter makes people look younger and more approachable.
Laughter massages the entire body/mind system which helps cleanse the body of toxins and waste products—leaving us glowing.
GET A WORKOUT
Laughter is recognized as a low impact cardio vascular exercise.
Laughter works the stomach, abs, pelvis and back muscles.
Laughter reduces cortisol which is responsible for stubborn, difficult to shed belly fat.
KEEP TELOMERES FROM SHORTENING
Telomeres are the stretches of DNA at the ends of our chromosomes. They hold the secrets to how we age. When a cell divides telomeres get shorter – if they get too short they die. This is associated with aging, cancer and high risk of death. Turns out humour helps the body maintain telomeres.
BE FEARLESS
When we’re laughing we push fear away — negative emotions subside.
BE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
Laughter is infectious – if you live with enthusiasm and laughter it extends to those around you.
Laughter is universal language breaks down barriers and connects all.
-NO TRAINING REQUIRED-
Laughter is universal everyone can do it.
WHERE TO FIND IT
The best laughs are often found in everyday life and in our own perfectly imperfect selves. That’s enough to keep us howling around the clock!
If you are looking for more structured help with your laughing practice you could search – world’s funniest jokes, funny cat/dog videos or try:
RollingStone Readers’ Poll- 25 funniest movies of all time
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