Laugh your way to good health

A child laughs more than an adult. Which is why he seems to stay chirpier and more energetic. Laughter has been known to influence the way we work, the way we eat, the way we feel and the way we live our lives.

Its easy to say go check out a funny movie or learn a new joke or do whatever it takes, to put a smile on your face. But at a time when we take our jobs, our lives and even our soaps seriously, it's hard to beat the stress and get swept away by good humour.

Research shows that laughter is really a good medicine - the cheapest and the best. It heals your immune system, dulls your pain, improves your memory, lowers blood pressure, and performs other wondrous feats.

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle or sneeze. A good hearty laugh can help reduce stress, elevate your mood, relax the body and reduce problems associated with high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis and ulcers.

According to cardiologists, on an average, the diameter of an artery (that takes blood to your heart) increased by 22% when people laughed and decreased by 35% during mental stress.

It is estimated that a good hearty laugh can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike!

So, after all that information on how laughter can improve your health, you must surely want to laugh your way to health. Here's how to take yourself lightly - skip sob soap sagas and fill your life with funny programmes. There are a variety of channels today, which offer good quality humourous entertainment, so switch to that.

Try and spend more time with people who have a sense of humour because you laugh 30 times more when you are with other people, than when you are alone. So, keep these simple things in mind and you could put yourself on the road to fitness.

 Source: Awaaz Plus