Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis
Like most people, I think there’s nothing better than a real good laugh. Not a polite chuckle, mind you, but the kind of laugh that leaves you gasping for air and clutching your midsection. This is when all inhibitions are released and when there’s no worry about what’s right or acceptable.
Because of this, I was intrigued by an article by Carrie Ciula that appeared in the Epoch Weekend newspaper in early April 2016 that explored the ins and outs of having a good, body-shaking laugh.
Members of the band The Beach Girl5 laugh at a café in London in 2010.
Photo: courtesy of Epoch Weekend by Epoch Times, April 1-7, 2016
Ciula notes that, “Laughter is an innate, unlearned response. Infants begin to smile within the first few weeks of life. It is awe-inspiring that we are all born with this intrinsic affinity toward smiling and laughing out of pure delight at whatever we find funny”.
She goes on to offer seven good reasons of many why we should indulge in a good belly laugh (or many) every day.
Laughter Relaxes the Whole Body
A good, body-rocking laugh evaporates stress and relieves physical tension. In fact, it can relax muscles for as long as an hour.
Laughter Releases Endorphins
A fancy definition of endorphins is: Any of a group of endogenous peptides found especially in the brain that binds chiefly to opiate receptors and produce some pharmacological effects. Or, more succinctly: any feel-good or feel-happy chemicals, e.g., the more we laugh, the better we feel.
Laughter Boosts the Immune System
It has been found that laughing boosts one’s immune system through decreasing stress hormones and increasing immune cells’ infection-fighting abilities.
Laughter Protects Your Heart
When you laugh heartily your blood flow increases that, in turn, decreases high blood pressure and protects you from a heart attack.
Laughter Dissolves Negative Emotions
Enjoy a good laugh the next time you’re having an argument with someone. It’s very difficult to feel angry while you’re laughing.
Laughter Helps All of Us Connect
Laughter enables us to bond with people we’re already close to and forges ties with people we’ve just met. Feeling connected is one of the most important ingredients of good health. Or, according to Victor Borge, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
Laughter Holds Us in the Moment
When we laugh we focus on whatever is funny in the moment. We’re not replaying the past or focusing on the future. We are simply enjoying the here and now. So just laugh heartily and often. Cheers to a hearty unrestrained medicine – no doctor required.
MAY WE SUGGEST…
Take a look at our VERY affordable sale items. This is an excellent way to refresh your summer wardrobe without shrinking your budget.
Shaun Nelson-HenrickComments will be approved before showing up.
I just read an article that sounded – to me at least – like “a canary in a coal mine” or an early warning of danger. This piece, written by Joe Pompeo, appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vanity Fair magazine with the title “The British Tabloid Invasion” and a subtitle that read, “How the Daily Mail is conquering American gossip.”
The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
Apparently the good old U.S. is a nation of “not great” sleepers. Really? And I thought I was the only one! According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it was revealed that one out of three Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Yikes!
I think we’re all taken by the incredible mystique of the famous French fashion house, Hermès that has been with us for two centuries and is still owned and operated by the same family. From its beginnings in fine equestrian leather goods, they are – in the tumultuous year 2020 – best known for their handbags and many other items.
My image of Hermès has always been rarified products at equally rarified prices so imagine my surprise when I recently received a very stylish publication of theirs in the mail.
