Laughter for the Soul

By Anna Cook –

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing” Michael Pritchard

Yes there is even such a thing as a World Laughter Day. Now that really should be telling you something! Laughter is so good for you, gives you such enormous health, physical, physiological and psychological benefits.

Did you know the average 4 year old laughs 300 times a day and for the average 40 year old it might be 4 times?

We want to age youthfully don’t we? We want to be happy, we want to improve our health – Laughing more is a GREAT way to start! Remember the never-ending infectious chuckles and gurgles of toddlers, lets follow their example…

Why should we laugh?

Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress; it takes your mind off pain and reduces conflict. Problems and worries become easier to cope with, you stay focused, and you are more alert. It makes you happy, healthy and energized – it transforms your life. It is a tremendous resource for overcoming difficulties, boosting relationships and improving health, both physically and emotionally…

● When you laugh your whole body relaxes, your muscles can stay relaxed for up to 45 minutes after a good laugh – that’s not bad as an impromptu workout AND amusement at the same time!
● It boosts your immune system, increasing infection fighting antibodies and immune cells, decreasing stress hormones and generally improving resistance to disease.
● Your heart is protected, improving blood vessel function and blood flow which can help preserve you from cardiovascular problems and heart attacks.
● It naturally releases feel good chemicals in the body – those pesky endorphins that everyone is desperately trying to find! Endorphins = well-being, feeling good, and even temporary pain relief.
● There are significant general health improvements. Regular daily laughter can even reduce the frequency of respiratory infections like common cold and flu, it can help overcome depression, relief/cure from chronic medical problems.
● It promotes a positive, optimistic attitude, kindles hope, lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc. You are less likely to buckle under stress or give way to feelings of depression and helplessness when you can laugh away the troubles.
● Laughing changes your perspective, it makes you more realistic, reduces a tendency to dramatize, puts distance between you and your problem, and stops you feeling overwhelmed.

As if that isn’t enough reason already, that feel good sensation lasts even after you stop laughing. Laughing is contagious, it attracts others. When you laugh with someone you create a positive bond with them, strengthening your relationships, keeping them sparkling, spontaneous and full of life.

Laughing adds energy, vitality and joy to your life and to the lives of the people around you. You become a people magnet, everyone wants to be with someone happy, positive and lively, they want a little bit of your happiness, and the excitement you generate, to wash over them and lift their mood, improve their life…

Start with a smile – always keep a smile on your face, move towards laughter, laughing people are friendly, welcoming, happy people.

You appear younger, more attractive, radiant and bubbly. All the good feeling and happiness surrounding you is energizing, exciting and fun! Laughter lines are seductive, droopy grimaces and frowns are NOT! Would you rather be known as a dynamic, delightful, fun-loving, charming individual or a boring, miserable old goat?

Optimism, satisfaction, energy, enjoyment – you have lived and learnt a lot, you can do the things you want, how you want, when you want. You can choose what you want and who you want to be with. Enjoy your life, find out what excites and motivates you, stop spending time on things that you either don’t like or don’t interest you, make the most of each moment, day, month, year, decade…

A positive attitude in your fifties can last the rest of your life… A laughing positive attitude can change the rest of your life!

Anna Cook is an adventurous long time businesswoman (via the City, international commerce and real estate), globetrotting nomad with unending passion for health, fitness, nutrition and coaching as well as being a very proud mother and animal lover on reaching the “M bracket” specialties in Coaching for Aging Healthily, Happily and Youthfully… See blog site for more info http://ageinghealthily.wordpress.com/ or contact Anna via email: anna@ageinghealthily.net.