Brother Blue

I have been putting the finishing touches on the first draft of a stress management book. The section I have been working on this morning is the healing benefits of laughter. If you were having a problem with coming up with a reason to season premier of The Office in Thursday, here you.
Big thanks to John, Big John, Funny Guy John, John the Fisherman for doing the research on this for me.

• Improved immune response Increased stress is associated with decreased immune system response. Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells. Positive thoughts actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more serious illnesses. In fact, in one study, people with cancer who watched a humorous video showed less stress and an increase in a particular cell activity that’s beneficial in fighting diseases such as HIV and cancer.
• Reduced blood sugar levels One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.
• Stimulate organs Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Soothe stomachaches Laughter can benefit digestion and absorption functioning of the stomach and intestines.
• Relieve pain Research increasingly shows that laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction Laughter often makes difficult situations a little bit easier. One study of emergency room nurses that nurses who use humor in dealing with their patients and co-workers experience greater job satisfaction and feelings of personal accomplishment than do those who remain dour during their shifts.
• Improved blood flow Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After the screening, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally – expanding and contracting easily. But the blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow. Improved circulation helps reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
• Reduce risk of hear disease Some research suggests that laughter may reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease.
• Lower blood pressure People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When having a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body
• Workout the body Laughter can be a great workout for the diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give your midsection a workout. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.
• Improved brain function Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information.

You have seen the catchy ipod nano comerical. Now see the whole video of the delightful Feist.

“There will be a time, not so far from now, that you will look back on this phase of your life and instead of condemning it or beating up on it… Instead of blaming or guilting, you will feel appreciation for it, because you will understand that a renewed desire for life was born out of this time period that will bring you to physical heights that you could not have achieved without the contrast that gave birth to this desire.”
Ester Hicks

“There are three things which are real: God, human folly and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension. So we must do what we can with the third.”
JFK jr.