No, I'm not talking about some pill or cough medicine, I'm talking about laughter. That's right; laughter isn't just something we do when we see or hear something funny, it's a natural medicine. "But how?" you may ask, let's see!
Laughter really has a huge affect on your mind and body. It helps fight against pain and stress, it lifts your mood and inspires and gives hope. Now, who doesn't like that?
Laughing relaxes your muscles, for up to 45 minutes after, it increases immune cells, which help with the digestive system. It triggers the releases of endorphins and even improves the function of blood cells, which protects you against heart attacks and can decrease pain.
Also, laughing adds joy or happiness to life, and who doesn't like happiness? It can also help fight against anxiety and fear.
It can also have social effects. Laughter can easily attract others, it strengthens relationships, boosts teamwork, helps get rid of any conflict and lastly, helps you bond with others.
All in all, laughing makes you feel good. You can't feel sad, angry or afraid when laughing. It helps recharge your mind and body and relaxes you, even when the laughter subsides. Laughing can also have an affect on how you see things, it can help you put things in a more positive light and can make you more optimistic.
Don't laugh a lot, but want too? Here are a few things you can do to help laughter along.
Smile - Smiling is the beginning of laughter, basically the first step. So, if you start smiling, you've got to laugh sometime!
List your blessings - If you start listing things that you are grateful for or things that make you happy and carefree in life, you will start to get farther and farther away from negative thoughts, which are the barrier between you and laughter.
Spend time with funny people - Have a funny friend? Spend time with them! Surrounding yourself with people that are funny or make you happy is a giant leap to laughter. They will constantly make you happy and you know what that means, laughter!
What about people around Whyville, what's up with them and laughter? There's only one way to answer that: interview!
Seabolt: Do you laugh a lot?
AX123XB: Sometimes.
Sydnie94: Yeah.
Kkalia97: Haha, yeah.
Diarra12: Yes, A LOT!
Seabolt: What usually makes you laugh?
AX123XB: Movies, radio and people, that's about it.
Sydnie94: People, like my friends.
Kkalia97: Depends, usually everything!
Diarra12: Friends, but movies can be funny too.
Seabolt: Do you think laughing could have any affect on you mentally or physically?
AX123XB: No, but I think it's good for you.
Sydnie94: No, not really.
Kkalia97: Nah, because it's just a characteristic.
Diarra12: Well, mentally, because it can make you look at things a different way and your stomach can start to hurt, if you laugh hard enough.
Now all I have to say is, GO LOL!
*click*
Author's Note: Sources: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200504/laughter-the-best-medicine
http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm
