Rumors of Glory » Blog Archive » Laughter - good for your soul & your health

Mar 3rd, 2008 by Lucille

Did you know the average child laughs over 300 times per day? And adults only laugh an average of 17 times per day. So what you say? Well let me give you some good reasons for kicking up you laughter levels - a good hearty laugh can help:

reduce stress

lower blood pressure

elevate mood

boost immune system

improve brain functioning

protect the heart

connect you to others

foster instant relaxation

make you feel good

I love to laugh with my clients (sometimes I cry with them as well). I’ll never forget the day I walked out of the counseling office when I was an intern and my supervisor commented, “You sure were having fun in there.” I didn’t take it as a critique but rather as a compliment, even though I’m still not sure what his intent was.

I have experienced gut wrenching laughter with people and I know it cements your soul to theirs, so I will never apologize for having fun with my clients or for letting them know I like them.

Now here’s an interesting fact: Did you know the smile muscles are the only ones in the entire body which are connected to the limbic system (the part of the brain that deals with emotion and memory). So by smiling, or even biting down on a pencil with your teeth, you will literally become happy.

In other words, you can perform an action which will change your emotion. I’d like to tell you about a really funny blog: http://www.xanga.com/writebrained

B.J. Hamrick’s writing is so fresh and funny. I never fail to laugh after reading her posts!

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks