Few things seem available to us these days as we struggle to survive the worst pandemic since 1918's Spanish Flu epidemic. But there is hope and, often, in places we might think unthinkable now and it's laughter.
We've always looked to research to tell us about developments that are being made in medical science that will help cure something, treat something or holds future promise. But the one place we often fail to look is within ourselves and the power we have to help ourselves.
Since we need to slog through this seemingly never-ending viral spread, why not begin today to use your resources in the form of humor, laughter, and sheer joy because it has given us another day? There's an old Italian expression that a day without wine is like a day without sunshine. I'd turn that around to: "A day without laughter is a day you don't make your own sunshine." Make your sunshine today. First, let me back that up with a bit of information for those who want research to support it.
We are in the middle of stressful times and The Mayo Clinic looked at the relationship between stress and laughter. The results are encouraging,showing that laughter stimulates our organs and "enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins your brain releases."
Endorphins are hormones that relieve pain and help with relaxation. All good, especially the brain part because that makes our body's engine go to its capacity.
Laughter will also "stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress."
The famed clinic isn't alone is proposing that you include laughter in your daily routine. Numerous articles have found benefit and healing power in laughter. Find some of them here:
https://bitly.com/3eK4uGi
https://bitly.com/3eHf1C8
https://bitly.com/2YMx4RX
Long-term benefits of laughter include boosting your immune system, improving your mood and personal relationships. If ever there was a time we need our social relationships to be maintained and in good order, it's now.
Finding Laughter
1. Seek out sites that have humorous jokes
2. Search for amusing videos on Youtube
3. Funny photos
4. Cartoons
You know what you need to do to help yourself now, especially if your day isn't going so great. So, get to it and try it every day and see how things improve for you.
No one wants you to laugh at everything, but a good bit of it each day would be like taking a natural supplement that keeps you healthy and involved in life. What can you do?
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