Laughing Your Way to Good Health
by Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W.

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Adults are often under the assumption that something must be funny to laugh rather than using humor to find something funny in everyday occurrences. The ability to use humor, like many skills, can be further developed.

Children laugh approximately 80 to 100 times per day. By the time we reach adulthood, we laugh only 5-6 times per day. You only need to watch children to appreciate the relation ship between humor and enjoying life. Children will laugh at anything! If you ask them, "what`s so funny," they may say something like, "he looked at me!"

The development of a "funny bone" is essential for long-term health and wellness. Laughter enhances T-cell production, which boosts the immune system. Studies with cancer patients have demonstrated that those who watched funny movies and used laughter had better survival rates.

Laughter produces the release of endorphins that improve mental health. It releases toxins from the system and provides for improved cardio-pulmonary function. This system release is felt after a period of intense laughter. You may actually feel exhausted and extremely relaxed after laughing heartily.

Proverbs says, "A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones." Humans are designed to laugh and use humor to balance their lives.

1. Make a conscious effort to find humor. Identify five humorous things or events each day. Tell the stories to others and allow yourself to laugh. Often, what is frustrating at the time makes a great story later.

Laugh at least six times per day. Do not wait to feel like laughing. If you laugh more, you will feel more like laughing. The old saying, "take the body, and the mind will follow," works for laughter, too.

Rent funny movies. Utilize the "classics" to give yourself a laugh. Allow yourself to loosen up, relax, and laugh. Watch with a friend and see who can laugh the longest.

Spend time with children. Children have a natural capacity for curiosity, excitement and humor. Seeing the world "through the eyes of a child" will increase your humor quotient.

Play each day. Make time for more than just relaxation, make sure you play. It could be a practical joke at work, a funny story, a cartoon on the bulletin board or a water balloon fight with the kids.

Remember, life is not a dress rehearsal. This is a live performance.

© Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W. - All Rights Reserved.

Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W. is a speaker, trainer, consultant and author. Barbara provides motivational keynotes, training seminars and wellness programs for business and organizations. For more information on how Barbara can help your organization please contact Speakers Platform.