GET A LAUGHTER WORKOUT
Although it doesn’t seem like a typical fitness program, laughing actually gives your body a great workout. Even though you may not work up a sweat or earn a medal in competition, laughing brings great benefits, including relaxation and restoring your energy level.
Remember times you’ve laughed so hard you felt breathless and limp? Or your stomach muscles ached from laughing? What a great workout!
PUMP UP THE OXYGEN
One of the ways exercise builds energy is by forcing you to breathe deeply. Each in-breath, or “inspiration,” brings fresh oxygen into your body. Laughter does the same thing. Notice that you can`t laugh long without having to take a breath. Your brain gets fresh oxygen and you feel great. The deep breathing that comes with a good laugh will also force you to relax.
Remember how great it is to laugh yourself breathless?
PUMP UP YOUR MUSCLES
Working out when you feel tense is a tried and true way to relieve stress and tension in your muscles and your mind. Laughing does the same thing with a lot less effort! Notice how your muscles relax after you laugh.
Feel how great it is to go limp with laughter?
TURN ON THE NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Scientists suspect that laughing resembles exercise in another positive way. When you exercise, your body produces “Happy Hormones” that make you feel great. Norepinephrine makes you feel energetic, endorphins cheer you up, and serotonin helps you feel less tense. It appears that laughing may release these hormones too.
Don’t you love that natural “high?”
DID YOU KNOW?
Part of the reason tribal healers often wear wild outfits and perform entertaining antics is to make people laugh. Ancient wisdom taught that regular laughter keeps people healthy. Corporations that build in time for recreation and fun have also learned that relieving tension helps groups make sound decisions.