We all live in the best location, a Sun City Community, where mirth and merriment abound, especially during each Christmas/Hanukah season.
Here are six health reasons to practice smiling promoted by Longevity.about.com in health benefits of smiling: Healthy aging/be social, live longer. First, smiling makes us appear more attractive. Scowls, grimaces, and frowns push people away from us. Smiles draw the same people back into our company.
Second, smiling can change our own mood. It can trick the body into helping us become happier.
Third, smiling is contagious because smiling people are usually open and friendly towards people they meet and, therefore, foster a sense of community around themselves. They bring happiness wherever they go.
Fourth, smiling relieves stress.
Fifth, smiling boosts our immune system.
Sixth, smiling lowers our blood pressure. The fourth, fifth, and sixth smile benefits will be further talked about with similar laughter responses in the next paragraph.
In fact, because smiles on our faces are often joined by laughter emitting from our mouths, we do need to discuss the positive effects of laughter. WebMD Archive by Michael W. Smith, MD discusses “Laughter Therapy: What Happens When We Laugh?”
Dr. Smith informs us that the changes are pronounced physiological ones. Along with stretched muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up as we breathe faster sending more oxygen to our tissues.
The physical change is considered by the doctor to be similar to a mild workout with similar positive effects. In fact, William Fry, a pioneer in laughter, said that it took 10 minutes on a rowing machine for his heart rate to reach the same level it would after just 1 minute of hearty laughter.
If you are still not sold on laughter, Vanderbilt University researcher Maciej Buchowski performed a small study in which he measured the amount of calories that were expended in laughing. He concluded that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories. Concerning blood pressure changes, researchers at the University of Maryland found that participants watching a comedy performance showed blood vessels behaving normally.
Laughter is actually the opposite of stress: it lowers your cortisol (stress) hormone while increasing your endorphins (feel-good) hormones. Those in the experiment viewing a more serious drama tended to tense up and show a more restricted blood flow or higher blood pressure.
Increased stress is associated also with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown here that the ability to use humor may raise levels of infection-fighting antibodies in the body producing a stronger immune system.
Another experiment was performed using one study of 19 people with diabetes to check the effect that laughter had on their blood sugar levels. After viewing a comedy, the diabetics showed lower blood sugar levels than after participating in a tense, difficult lecture.
Norman Cousins, who lived with a painful spine condition, wrote in his memoir “Anatomy of Illness” that 10 minutes of laughter allowed him to enjoy 2 hours of pain-free sleep.
While research is not 100% full-proof here, the WebMD’s doctor does feel that pain-dulling is the best attribute gained from laughter. Dr. Michael Smith concludes, “Laughter is 30 times more likely when we’re with other people. People who laugh a lot may have a strong connection to people around them. That in itself may have a health benefit.”
Dr. Harvey Jay Cohen, a member of AARP’s new Medical Advisory Board, suggests that we laugh more to age in a healthy manner and to live a healthier and longer life. Dr. Cohen tells us that there are a “proliferation of laughter clubs” around the globe.” He continues, “Participants, many of them with chronic illnesses, gather together to laugh and do breathing exercises. Laughter is a way of coping and dealing with difficult situations.”
I remember an old saying, “you don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” Do gather together with family and friends throughout the holidays for a “feel good” prescription of smiles and laughter. Happy Holidays!
