"The best blush to use is laughter: It put roses in your cheeks and in your soul."
Linda Knight
We all know the old adage that "Laugher is the best medicine" - but what does that mean, actually?
Well, research has shown that laughing can help in:
* Lowering blood pressure
* Reducing stress hormones
* Increasing muscle flexibility
* Boosting immune function
* Triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers
* Producing a general sense of well-being.
The most famous case of laughing away illness is that of Norman Cousins who took that quote literally and set out to heal himself of a serious chronic disease by laughing at favourite comedy shows. He stated that ten minutes of laughing gave him two hours of drug-free pain relief.
In fact the positive effects of laughter have been recognized to the point that now there are certified laughter coaches (my favourite laughter coach website is: www.laughtercoach.com Just going there will make you smile!)
Cheryl Oberg of the Canadian Association for Therapeutic Humour states that children naturally laugh over 300 times a day, but as adults we only laugh about eight times a day. We need to raise the bar a little here!
So, what's a good way to start laughing? Watch small children and listen to their conversations; watch a funny movie with friends (go for some good old fashioned Charlie Chaplin, "I Love Lucy" or Laurel and Hardy); simply keep your eyes and ears tuned for funny events.
If you need more serious help, you can even take a course on laughter at: www.higher-self-studies.com.
I haven't taken that course but if you do, let me know how if it was good!
Darlene Hull, www.mom-defrazzler.com
*****************************************************************
Publishing and Re-Print Guidelines
* The article text, resource box, URLs and copyright information must be left intact and unchanged
* When re-published online, all links must be live hyperlinks.
* These articles may not be distributed in any manner that does not comply with federal communication guidelines.
* These articles must not be password protected or limited to membership or paid-only viewing. These articles must remain free.
*****************************************************************
Darlene Hull is a local, ordinary, imperfect mom who sees her mission as helping moms look after themselves so that they can better look after their families. Darlene is married to Tom and has two children ? Simon (12) and Christina (10.5) whom she home schools. You can find out more about her on her website at http://www.mom-defrazzler.com and even download a free "Mom-Defrazzler" while you're there.
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
Below is a copy of our eating program for Attention... Read More
In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
What makes parenting so challenging at times? One widespread research... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More
"To educate a person in mind and not in morals... Read More
One of the implications of the current trend toward smaller... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds... Read More
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
One of the questions I ask in parenting presentations is... Read More
Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
Parenting |