Think about the cost of medications right now. Is it getting better or worse for the average person and family? For most, it is sky-rocketing, and many are unable to afford all their medications. With the multiple economic imbalances unveiled by the COVID -19 pandemic, healthcare in quickly becoming unaffordable, and that includes much needed medications for some. While I can’t solve that issue, I do want to offer two things that go a long way in doing us good like medicine?
The first is food. I will not discuss this in depth here. Suffice it to say like Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food.”
The second one, which I will dive a little more into, is laughter.
My scripture says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22, paraphrased.) Laughter and cheerfulness have a way of calming down stress, anxiety, depression, and it improving sleep, and boosting immunity, among other health benefits.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins that reduce stress
Endorphins are peptide hormones released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus and have a number of physiologic functions, one of which is act as natural painkillers. They also create a sense of well-being within an individual. Laughter also activates the release of Serotonin and Dopamine, which are mood boosting and reward neurotransmitters. Remember, the goal is to promote your well-being through laughter.
laughter boosts your immune system
When you laugh, you suppress the production of stress hormones. Stress is a known immune function suppressor. Conversely, laughter activates infection-fighting cells and chemicals in the body, hence boosting your pathogen fighting capability. It further increases blood flow to the internal organs. Laughter also increases oxygen flow to the lungs the heartier and deeper one laughs. With this increased oxygen supply and blood flow, the body is able to heal, repair, detoxify, revitalizing itself.
How to boost your daily laughter dose
Laughter can be stimulated by both external and internal physical, cognitive and emotional factors. Here are some of the healthy tips to help increase laughter and it’s benefits.
- Spent time with positively humorous people.
- Watch or listen to positive comedy, jokes, memes etcetera.
- Let me know other ways we can lighten up and amuse ourselves in a healthy way. #Altogetherwell, #HELP. Thank you!