Laughing and smiling can have lots of positive effects on people's health, but as we age, we tend to cut down on our engagement in these behaviors. Healthy kids laugh up to 400 times a day, as opposed to adults, who tend to laugh around 20 times a day.
We adults need to take a lead from kids and make some more space in our lives for smiling and laughter, if not for at least our health (15 minutes of laughter a day is as important to the heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week).
Try letting go and looking at the lighter side of life. Laugh at youself and your actions occasionally, and share funny tidbits of your stories with others. Laugh during difficult situations instead of lamenting about them.
Even try faking a smile or laugh sometimes, as your body can't distinguish between fake or real laughter, and the benefits will be the same.
Go ahead and give it a try, it'll improve your health, boost your energy, and will definitely improve your quality of life and those of others around you.
Image Courtesy of Arlene Chambers Photography
|by Leslie Phelps