Laugh for good health

I should thank my friend Dr. Wilson Lim for giving Funfare readers health tips not only during Lent but for all seasons.

Did you know that children laugh as much as 400 times a day compared to a large majority of adults who only get 15 to 20 laughs in?

Whether your preference is giggle, chuckle or guffaw, Dr. Wilson enumerated a dozen well-being benefits of:

1. Increases antibodies in saliva that combats upper respiratory infections.

2. Secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers.

3. Conditions the abdominal muscles.

4. Relaxes muscles throughout the body.

5. Aids in reducing symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism.

6. Changes perspective.

7. Has positive benefits on mental functions.

8. Reduces blood pressure and heart rate.

9. Helps the body fight infection.

10. Releases endorphins which provide natural pain relief.

11. Helps move nutrients and oxygen to body tissues.

12. Makes you feel good!

Dr. Wilson also sent Funfare the following clipping:

Top 10 Reasons to Smile: By Mark Stibich, Ph.D.

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood.

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling, they lighten up the room, change the moods of others and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin. Together, these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a facelift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile, our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

In their book You Can’t Afford The Luxury of a Negative Thought, John-Roger and Peter McWilliams recall the story of a patient who was diagnosed to be terminally ill, given six months to live, with a one-in-500 chance of recovery.

He could see that the worry, depression and anger in his life contributed to, and perhaps helped cause, his disease. He wondered, “If illness can be caused by negativity, can wellness be created by positivity?” (Quote from the book.)

What the patient did was watch comedy movies, listen to funny stories he asked his friend to tell him and, that’s it, just laugh and laugh.

He was in enormous pain, so great that he could not sleep. Laughing for five solid minutes, he found, relieved the pain for several hours, and he could sleep.

The patient got well and lived for 20 more years of happy and healthy laughter.

Yes, it’s true: Laughter is the best medicine.

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