Did you know that it has been reported that laughing for at least 15 minutes can add about 2 days onto your overall lifespan? A laugh a day may keep death further away and that’s nothing to joke at!
The first Sunday in May is recognized as being the World Laughter Day. This was started in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria who had the desire to manifest world peace by building up consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter.
A leading Laugh Scientist/Laugh Researcher, Neuroscientist and Professor of Psychology, Robert Provine, did an extensive study in the 1990’s observing 1200 instances of naturally occurring human laughter to assess how laughter plays a role in our daily communication. To collect sample data, he created a list of comments that he would say to strangers in public places to see if he could elicit laughter as a response. Now who wouldn’t break into a laugh if approached by a stranger making any of these comments:
– “You don’t have to drink, just buy us drinks”
– “Do you date within your species?”
– “You smell like you’ve had a good workout”
Photo credit www.expandingtimes.com
Information of this study and the findings can be found in the article he wrote in Psychology Today or in his book Laughter: A Scientific Investigation.
No one can deny how laughter increases your sense of well-being and helps you to relax.
The more you laugh when around others the better you feel. And when you feel good you are more likely to keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments and setbacks in life. There are also many benefits health wise as it’s been found one good laugh increases your heart rate to the same level it would be at if you did 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on a bike. What’s not to like about that? It’s clear that the positive effects of laughter carry over with you long after the moment in time has ended.
As a volunteer at the brain injury rehabilitation unit at a local hospital, I have seen time and time ago just how much laughter can give brain injury patients courage and strength that helps them find new meaning and hope each day.
While I interact with many patients, one young man really stands out in the crowd. John, not his real name, sustained a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car and was admitted to the hospital in June. I know everyone can relate to just how much your spirits can be lifted when you meet someone who has a zest for life and exudes energy, regardless of the fact that their current situation may be far from ideal. This is exactly how I felt the first time I met John.
In a short few weeks I have watched him make great progress in many areas including regaining his mobility. He’s gone from being restrained in his bed so he wouldn’t try to get up on his own and fall, to being able to walk fully on his own even sporting a fashionable cane! And yes, he has gotten his swagger down to an art and really knows how to work this to his advantage!
Every time I visit with him I erupt into a constant state of laughs listening to his stories and how he’s been able to make fun of his entire experience since the accident, even so much as to compare being in the hospital to being in a hotel (maybe I should check Trip Advisor for his review!) By keeping his sense of humor alive, it takes his mind off of feeling sad, anxious, angry and upset even if just for a brief period. It’s really helped him in shifting his perspective of his reality so he doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
5 Interesting Facts About Laughter
1. We laugh up to 30 times more when we are in the company of others than when we are by ourselves. Laughter really is contagious!
2. The more you laugh the healthier you will be! Whole hearted laughter helps your body fight off harmful diseases, lowers your level of stress and fights off infections that may be harmful.
3. For those non-coffee drinkers, laughing after you wake up can have similar effects to drinking a cup of coffee. Just be careful your morning laugh isn’t at the expense of your spouse!
4. The average person laughs around 13 times a day. Children tend to laugh up to 3 times more often than an adult.
5. Many animals laugh too! While not so easy to detect, the next time you notice your furry friend making a funny sound, they may be laughing at you!
Now go out and bring the laughter on!
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