Comedian Bill Cosby hit the nail on the head when he said, "If you can laugh at it, you can survive it." And as research on the subject grows, it is becoming more evident that laughing can make us healthier physically as well as mentally.

Laughter activates the immune system:

It increases the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumor cells.

It increases activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up a notch."This is no joke!

It increases the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections.

It increases gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on."

And it increases IgB, the immunoglobulin produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as an increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells. The increase in both substances was not only present while subjects watched a humor video; there also was a lingering effect that continued to show increased levels the next day.

Laughter Decreases Stress Hormones:

When exposed to humour, a general decrease in stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity was shown.

In anticipation of humor and after exposure to humor. Epinephrine levels remained down.

Dopamine levels (as measured by dopac) were also decreased. Dopamine is involved in the "fight or flight response" and is associated with elevated blood pressure.

Cardiac Exercise:

Laughing is aerobic, enabling one to workout the diaphragm and increase the body's ability to use oxygen.

When fighting a disease, laughter brings in positive emotions that can enhance conventional treatments. A very useful tool!

Pain Reduction:

Laughter offers a powerful distraction from pain. When used in conjunction with conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process.

The Journal of Holistic Nursing, published a study, where by patients were told one-liners after surgery and before painful medication was administered. Those whom were exposed to humor perceived less pain when compared to patients whom didn't get a dose of humor as part of their therapy.

Blood Pressure:

In preventing hypertension, women seem to benefit more than men.

Respiration:

Similar to deep breathing, frequent belly laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect. This is especially beneficial for patient's who are suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of laughter is that it is free and has no known negative side effects.

article provided by: Divineselections4all.com

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