Why is laughter thought to be healing? Glad you asked! Research studies have revealed that laughter tends to decrease resting heart rate, resting blood pressure and muscle tension (muscle tension is THE # symptom of stress!) And let us not forget all the great neuropeptides (e.g., the beta endorphin) that are released from the brain to make us feel better, if only momentarily! Experts have noted that children laugh as many as 300 times per day. Adults (we are so sophisticated) have narrowed it down to 15, and hospital patients (are you ready for this?) zero! Emotional wellbeing is perhaps best defined as “the ability to feel and express the entire range of human emotions (from anger to love) and to control them, not be controlled by them! ”Anger and fear (the two stress emotions) permeate our culture today. If stress is a toxin, then humor is the antidote! Freud said that humor was a great coping technique because it not only decreased pain, but increased pleasure… AT THE SAME TIME! The antidote beings with a smile!
• Stress Tip for the Day:
The suggested quota for laughs per day is 15. There are three in this blog (Photo, joke and quote), which means you’re on your own for the other 12, so get going. But here is a start! Today’s Joke: The Conversation
God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him,
“Lord, we don’t need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the beginning.”
“Is that so? Tell me about it,” replies God.
“Well, “ says the scientist, “we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of You and breathe life into it, thus creating man.”
“Well, that’s interesting. Show Me.”
So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil.
“No, no, no…” interrupts God, “Get your own dirt.”
Movies Worth Noting:
There is a famous quote from Chaucer that says, “Many a truth be told in jest,” and there is much truth to this quote! Film maker, Michael Moore, is considered by some to be a jester and his sense of humor is not without its critics. Personally I find him funny, and after seeing his latest movie, Capitalism: A Love Story, I think everyone should see this movie, particularly in light of yesterday’s news about the ridiculous bonuses being given from the TARP money (your tax dollars!) You owe it to yourselves to be informed (and catch a few laughs while you’re at it!)
• Photo of the Day:
This photo was sent to me to be added in my tickler notebook. Enjoy!
• Quote for the Day:
“Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made” —George Bernard Shaw
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
