The Healing Power of Laughter

As always, I continue to pray that God is merciful and gracious to us.

"Though many believe that we are physical beings with a spiritual component, we are most assuredly spiritual beings with a physical component. Therefore any hopes of saving the flesh, individually or collectively, must first begin with an attempt to save the spirit."

Fascinating new research seems to be endorsing the ancient wisdom that laughter, happiness and a joyful heart are "jolly" good medicines!

There is an old saying, "Your day goes the way the corners of your mouth turn"! Medical research has measured extensively the movements we make on our face and also our entire body when we smile and when we laugh. The research concludes that it is possible for all 600 muscles of the body to move during laughter - thus laughter has been playfully labelled by some as a form of "internal aerobics".

In Proverbs 17:22 it is written, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones". Since time immemorial, sages and physicians alike have advocated a "merry heart" as a perfect remedy for life 's lessons. For instance, the Greek poet, Pindar, wrote, "The best of healers is good cheer".

Perhaps the most exciting medical research on laughter is in the field of "psycho-neuro-immunology" which looks at the effect of the mind on the brain and on the immune system. This research shows that whereas suppressed anger or feelings of intense hatred or frustration, for instance, disturbs the natural, healthy functioning of the immune system, laughter, joy and happiness have been found to help boost the immune system.

The repeated research experiments of Dr Lee Berk at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA, shows that laughter, happiness and joy "inspire" the immune system to create white "T" cells, commonly called "happy cells", which help to prevent infection. The philosopher, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, hit upon the idea of joyful immunity when he wrote, "Contentment preserves one even from catching cold. Has a woman who knew that she was well dressed ever caught a cold? - No, not even when she had scarcely a rag to her back!"

To round it off when we laugh we ......

Alleviate depression

and reduce stress

Lower our blood pressure and promote relaxation

Increase the oxygen level in our blood, giving us more energy

Increase the endorphin activity in our body resulting in a sense of well being;

Mentally we are able to keep things in perspective;

Immeasurably increase

our enjoyment of life.

But why take my word for any of this? You can do your own research at the local library or on any Internet search engine such as www.google.com or www.mamma.com or www.dogpile.com etc.

Until next time remember, most illness (upwards of 80% according to experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can eaken your immune system and your ability to fight off disease. In this order:

1. INADEQUATE REST - Research continues to prove, that no two ways about it, good quality sleep has proven to be the singlemost important factor in determining or influencing your health.

2. INABILITY TO DEAL WITH STRESS - If you run around all day like a chicken with it's head cut off, it will increase your chances of getting ill and will aggrevate, tremendously, any illness that you already have, no matter what it is. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt or also STRESS factors. LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO.

3. INADEQUATE OR IMPROPER NUTRITIONAL HABITS - There are a lot of practicing vegetarians lately and some load up on the white sugar, white flour, starches, processed and refined foods. Many whole foods/alternative medicine type practioneers believe we should be eating at least 5 times as many fruits and vegetables as meats. Most experts agree that most diets are seriously deficient in the amounts of fruits and vegetables that we should be eating to remain healthy.

4. INADEQUATE EXCERCISE - A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough excercise will catch up with you. FIND SOME KIND OF PHYSICALLY ENGAGING ACTIVITY EVEN IF IT'S ONLY WALKING!

The Healing Power of Laughter by : Papa de Q, Taken from "Herb of the week" newsgroup