Laughter… It really is medicine for the soul

The dictionary defines laugh as a convulsive sound caused by merriment; an expression of mirth, or of scorn; or to express merriment, etc, by a laugh; to appear gay, pleasant, etc; to jeer (with at): to express or utter with laughter. Laughing is defined as an action of expressing merriment, or scorn, with a laugh.

Laughter is a series of spasmodic expulsions of breath, with jerky sounds, accompanied by movements of the facial muscles, provoked by mirthful feelings. Synonyms are, fun, giggling, glee, hilarity, snickering, and tittering.

It the American Journal of Medicine, it has been found that laughter increases a secretion of “catecholamines and endorphins”, which in turn increases oxidation of the blood, relaxes the arteries, speeds up the heart, and decreases blood pressure. That produces a positive effect on all cardiovascular and respiratory systems. That in turn will improve any ailments that have occurred in these systems. The immune system will also be enhanced, and the individual will have a more positive response when being exposed to diseases due to outside influences.

After all is said and done, it’s time for a laugh!

A World War 2 veteran decides that the attic needs a cleaning. During the process of finding things to dispose off, he comes upon his old army uniform. He tries the jacket on and finds he cannot close the buttons. He puts his hands in his pockets and lo and behold he finds a ticket from a shoemaker for a pair of shoes he had brought in for repair when he was discharged from the army. Figuring he had nothing to lose, he brings the ticket into the shoe repair shop. He finds that it is the same old proprietor, much older, a little bent over and slower moving. After taking the ticket, the cobbler goes in the back room. On returning, he hands the ticket back and says, “They will be ready Thursday”.

Now, if that didn’t really give you a chuckle, try this one. Two friends are walking in the jungle. Suddenly a tiger appears in the distance running towards them. One friend pulls a pair of “Nikes” out of his bag and quickly puts them on. With a surprised look, the other says, “You don’t really think you can out run that tiger with those?” “I don’t need to out run the tiger”, his friend replies, “I just need to run faster than you”.

Now that you have had your laugh for today, just try to remember the health benefits that are derived from laughter. Try to find humor in whatever you do. When watching television, watch the programs that make you laugh. It will help to reduce the stress that is part of our daily living. It basically acts as an escape valve or outlet for leaving off the buildup of steam (stress) as in a boiler. The more you can find to laugh at the stronger your immune system will be, the better you will feel and you will have more vitality.