As we age, certain medications may become necessary for us. There are many types of drugs out there that come in various forms, but there is one form of medicine you should always keep on hand no matter what ails you –– and it’s something we all have taken since we were babies: laughter.
You don’t need a prescription for laughter. It doesn’t cost you anything. It won’t conflict with any other medications. And laughter has no adverse side effects –– well, maybe a sore face and an aching belly. Though it doesn’t come in a bottle, laughter may carry many health benefits that you shouldn’t ignore. And that’s no joke (but feel free to laugh). Below are a few reasons why you should welcome more laughter into your life, and how to do it.
When you laugh
It can’t replace a day at the gym or an aerobics class, but laughter causes changes in the body that are very similar to those that occur during exercise. Your muscles contract, and your heart rate increases. You begin to breathe deeply and more rapidly. These responses carry with them a number of benefits:
It’s clear that laughter can act as a real “wonder drug.” So, why aren’t we all taking big doses and laughing our way through life? There are many reasons for that, but sometimes we simply forget how wonderful laughter can be. So, it’s necessary to take action and make room in your life for humor and cheer.
Living with laughter
Creating space and planning for laughter may seem too practical and humorless, but it is an easy way to create more funny moments. Here are some suggestions for how to get started:
And don’t forget loved comedians like Flip Wilson, Carol Burnett and Jerry Seinfeld. Many streaming services may have their shows or specials, and YouTube likely has some of their hilarious sketches and routines. It’s likely you’ll be laughing out loud again in no time.
Though laughing can never cure an illness or replace medical treatment, it might help improve your everyday living and your overall health. Many physicians, therapists and nurses use humor in their medical practices because of its potential health benefits, so we all should do our best to laugh more often. Laughing is a guaranteed way to improve your mood, and it might also lead you to a longer, healthier life!
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