Trying to get healthy, get and stay fit, and enjoy life more? That’s what we all want, right? Diet and exercise will only take you so far. If it’s time for an added boost, just laugh … a lot! Laughing is life preserving and definitely therapeutic.
Laughing is a great exercise for the body, mind, and the soul. When a person is happy and laughs heartily the action releases endorphins. These are the body’s natural stress busters. They’re also natural painkillers and mood elevators. How about that! The best medicine you can ever take without side affects.
While you laugh, the benefits can include:
- Increasing your blood flow.
- Boosting your immune response.
- Better control of your blood sugar levels.
- Promotion of better sleep and relaxation.
- Reduction of stress and an increase in sense of your well-being.
People who laugh a lot just tend to be happier, less stressed and better equipped to handle what life throws at them. We all know people like this and we admire them for their abilities to take care of themselves and always help others.
Tips for Getting the Giggles Out
Not sure how to incorporate laughter into the daily routine? Try these tips:
- Sign up for a joke-a-day email service (and be sure to share the great ones with friends and family who need laughs, too).
- Discover your favorite comic book or cartoon and share it.
- Watch a great comedy that always makes you laugh and feel better.
- Tickle or get tickled by someone you love. (just don’t get them mad 🙂
- Joke with friends, family or co-workers (appropriately, of course).
- Look for the humor in every situation. Open your eyes wide and chances are you’re going to be able to find it easily.
- Take time out to just enjoy downtime with family and friends.
- Give yourself permission to be silly once in a while. Think back about how much at times being a kid could make you laugh and smile.
- Seek out opportunities for fun with a crowd that knows how to laugh.
Boost the Benefits
While laughter is the best medicine in many cases, it isn’t the only one needed for promoting health. To get the most out of those good times, it’s also important to incorporate exercise and healthy eating into the routine while assisting with stress reduction. This, in turn, can promote a greater sense of happiness that will just make laughing all the easier and keep a big smile on your face.
To get on the right path fitness wise, be sure to:
- Find an activity you truly enjoy and exercise/move regularly.
- Eat lots of healthy and well balanced nutritious foods for your body. Be sure to include fruits and vegetables while not overlooking the need for lean proteins and other essential foods.
- Take time out to simply enjoy life. Relaxation can be as important for overall health as diet and exercise, so don’t overlook its value. Find relaxing practices that will serve you well.
- Get plenty of restorative sleep and if deep sleep is challenging for you continue to learn more about how you can best recover and improve the quality of your sleep (laughing should help with this).
- Drink plenty of water on a daily basis. So many people are actually in states of dehydration and really don’t know it. Water is energy for you.
Not sure how to get started? Contact a professional that can provide you insight and inspire you to move forward with your life and health. It does not have to be overly complicated, but you have to be ready to take action and truly want an improvement in your life. FREE Fitness Coaching
About the Author
Marin health and fitness expert, John Spongberg is the founder of Personal Training in Marin as well as an accomplished author, speaker and life coach. He is dedicated to helping people reach their optimum level of fitness, health and body satisfaction through a unique, comprehensive whole-person approach, customized to each client. Mr. Spongberg creates a successful experience for individuals who are ready to take the next step to, once and for all, achieve the extraordinary health, vitality and body they’ve long been dreaming of. Your satisfaction is personally guaranteed 100% or your money back! If you’re ready, you can reach Mr. Spongberg at (415) 322-7033 or visit his website at http://PersonalTrainingInMarin.com
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