Jun 13
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Posted by Antonia at 6:40 pm in Daily Practices

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Laughter is the closest distance between two people.

~Victor Borge~

I love to laugh and do so often. In fact, amongst my friends, I am known for my frequent laughing and my laugh. Perhaps because of my giggles as well. hehe My girlfriend recently confessed that she’ll ask herself, “Would this make Antonia laugh?” And how awesome is that? :D In turn, I do my best to crack her up as well. After all, there are plenty of things going on in the World which we could allow to dampen our spirits, but by laughing we can reduce the levels of chronic stress in our body and enhance our lifespan, boost our immune system function, protect our nervous system and sanity, and give our endocrine system a much-needed rest.

laughing

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.

~Lord Byron~

At the biophysical level, laughter moves lymph fluid around the body simply by the convulsions experienced during the process of laughing; so it boosts immune system function and helps clear out old lingering materials from organs and tissues.
Secondly, laughter increases oxygenation of the body at both the cellular and organ level. By laughing, you intake vast amounts of oxygen in huge gulps, and you repeat this process in a sort of temporary hyperventilation session. As you take in oxygen, you release carbon dioxide, and that added oxygen makes it difficult for parasites and bacteria to survive. t’s also interesting to note that cancer cells are destroyed in the presence of oxygen.

laughter

He who laughs, lasts!

~Mary Pettibone Poole~

Laughing also boosts circulation, so at the same time that you’re distributing oxygen around your body, you’re boosting the circulation of your blood; you’re exercising abdominal muscles; you’re exercising the muscles of your face; and you’re enhancing the flexibility of various joints throughout your body. So it’s a bit of physical exercise and healthful body movement as well. In fact, the harder you laugh, the greater this effect. Have you ever laughed so hard that your stomach muscles were sore the next day? I have! :D

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“Laughter is the spark of the soul”

~Unknown~

When you laugh, you generate a wealth of healing biochemicals such as serotonin; others are immune-boosting chemicals such as interleukins. If you were to make a long list of all the chemicals created by engaging in healthy laughter, you would have quite a list of healthy body chemicals that would carry a hefty price tag if you purchased them retail. And yet, you can create these chemicals for yourself at no cost by simply engaging in laughter. In other words, laughing makes us feel great, helps bond people together and is really good for us!

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

~e e cummings~

How can we laugh more often? Rent your favourite comedies, go to your local comedy club, spend time with children, as they most certainly know how to have fun and laugh at life. Visit websites which host funny videos, subscribe to a “Joke of the Day” service, and pass along that which you find funny so others can enjoy it as well. Tonight I will be going to a “Laughter Party”, and I promise to tell you all about it next time! Just laugh! And laugh often, my beautiful friends!

I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me to be the most civilized music in the world.

~Peter Ustinov~

Laughter is the Best Medicine has 6 Comments

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  1. Kathryn wrote:
    June 13th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

    This is such good medicine for all your loyal readers, Antonia! I’m going to rent a funny movie this weekend just because of this post! Thank you! Love, Mommie D.

  2. Pedro Rosario wrote:
    June 13th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Thank you for all your research, dear Antonia. I hope you keep laughing, my friend. It is one of the most beautiful things you have about yourself. >Hugging you<

  3. Antonia wrote:
    June 14th, 2008 at 12:03 am

    Thanks, mom! Enjoy! :-)
    Love you,
    Antonia

  4. Antonia wrote:
    June 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    Thank you, Pedro!
    I shall continue laughing frequently! :D

    *hugs*
    Antonia

  5. Buddy wrote:
    June 19th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Great blog . Laughter will make anyone feel better .

  6. Antonia wrote:
    June 20th, 2008 at 10:23 am

    Thank you, Buddy!
    Yes, it is a true gift and we should do it often! :-)
    Blessings
    Antonia

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