laugh

A BIG LAUGH FOR HEALTH

Posted on by pennyjoliver

 

Everybody can always use a good laugh!

Science is now proving that laughter is actually good for your health! So, get your giggles on, because laughter has many beneficial effects on the human body!

For starters, laughing may help you live longer, according to recent research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Optimistic elderly people who expect good things to happen were less likely too die sooner than most pessimistic people. In the study, the 65-85 year old participants who were the most optimistic were 55% less likely to die from all causes than pessimistic people.

Researchers also found that laughter actually boosts the immune system, increasing the number of antibody-producing T cells. When you laugh, you activate them. They are special immune systems cells that fight sickness and disease. After a good laugh, you should be far less tense and anxious as well because the level of at least four stress related hormones decreases.

Regular laughing is like getting a gym membership for your heart. Laughter has been found to benefit the way blood flows around the body, reducing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. People who laugh regularly have lower blood pressure than the average person. 15 minutes of laughter a day is important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week. Laughing burns as much calories per hour as walking a slow to moderate pace!

A British study shows how just 15 minutes of laughter can increase pain tolerance by around 10% as a result of endorphins being released in the brain. Endorphins are the feel good chemicals. The effect is similar to morphine, only more powerful and there are no side effects.

You might not believe it, but laughing can torch calories. Laughing actually raises the heart rate and speeds up metabolism. A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out your shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed. Laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike!

Laughter is contagious. Laugh more and make yourself and everyone around you happier and healthier!

After all, God did tell us in His Word that, “A merry heart is good medicine!” It’s found in the book of Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 22.

Laugh more and yoga on!

Lotsa Love, Penny xxoo

 

Just me, my grand nephew Cole and my little sister Kel at McDonald’s! Don’t you wear wax lips and do a selfie, evah?!

YOGA MAKES ME LAUGH!

Posted on by pennyjoliver

3f1054058df6b49e08a77deefef4d015LAUGHING YES!!!!

 

I can’t help it. Yoga makes me laugh!

Sometimes I laugh while trying to smoothly, but awkwardly, move my body into pretzel-like positions. During yoga, I also try to move my body into positions that animals naturally ease into. You know the poses; cat, cow, eagle, crow, cobra, butterfly and downward dog to name a few. There are also every day ordinary things that yoga wants my body to resemble like trees, chairs, triangles, children and even corpses! Unfortunately, most human bodies are physically challenged when it comes to contorting like that – and mine is no exception!

Did you know that in yoga there is even a lion’s breathing technique? I wonder how ancient yogis know how a lion breathes? You can’t help but laugh seeing a human performing it or try it for yourself. You cannot help but laugh. Funny thing is, more and more people are getting into yoga everyday. But, do I really need to be so animal-like and twisted at my age?

Let’s face it, fifty seven is kind of old for an upward and downward dog daily workout. Ask me if fifty seven was old when I was young, and I would have called it ancient. Yet, after years of dance, ballet, gymnastics, skiing, karate, and even winning gold medals and national championships, my daily workouts presently consist of rolling around the floor with my eyes closed while being up side down most of the time. It’s a change!

The goals of my workouts have dramatically changed as well. At fifty seven, standing on my head and splitting my body in half is what I aim for daily. Pushing up easily into a wheel pose or bridge would be nice too! I also wish I could look halfway human during breathing exercises. I’ve sadly given up striving for a sixteen year old body that rocks all the cool yoga wear too. Yes, it’s always good to have workout goals in mind. Unfortunately, unless I get a newer version of my body all of my workout goals are pretty much unattainable. But, I do have hope and I will always try. I am a very happy fifty-seven year old. I am healthy and have little strands of silver glitter in my hair. I also get up every day and look forward to doing yoga. I guess because yoga makes me laugh!

I can only hope that yoga makes you laugh too!