A Laugh A Day May Keep The Doctor Away

A Prescription for Good Health with No Bad Side Effects

Many of you may have heard the saying "laughter is the best medicine". . According to recent scientific evidence this may true.
Experts such as Dr. Lee Berk of the Loma Linda University in California says laughter helps to increase the count of T cells, natural killer cells and antibodies in the mucous of the nose and respiratory passages, which is believed to have some protection against some viruses and bacteria. Other researchers have concluded that laughter can actually lower four hormones that are associated with stress, including cortisol and epinephrine levels. High levels of these hormones lower your body's resistance, making you more susceptible to getting sick. Laughter which has immediate effects is a no time release aid to fight the bad effects of stress.

Norman Cousins, (a famous writer) brought to light the mind- body connection in his book "Anatomy of an Illness." He talked about a debilitating near fatal disease he had and decided to take an active role in doing something about his health challenge. Statistics said that one in 500 people could possibly survive this. He wanted to be that one. He added vitamin C to his diet and also used laughter as part of his protocol. He watched Marx Brothers movies, Candid Camera and other comedy everyday. The frequent laughter aided in boosting his immune system and, along with a positive mind, and other modalities, he reversed the prognosis and helped save his own life from an "incurable disease." The book demonstrated the power of the body's own resources to heal itself, including one of the most readily accessible and immediate resources, laughter .

What else has laughter got to do with your health.?

Full rigorous laughing, also coined "internal jogging" by Norman Cousins, gives you a mini cardio workout by increasing your heart rate, circulation and respiration.
Dr William Fry says one minute of rigorous laughter is equal to 10 minutes of rowing.Your blood pressure will also rise and drop, which is what happens during and after exercise. And it's great, for you don't even have to leave your home or go to a gym to get a good workout. And with heart disease being the number one killer, it may be a great idea to get laughing and start having ha ha attacks rather than a heart attack.

By improving lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood, it is a great exercise for many people suffering from mild asthma and bronchitis, Laughter can improve alertness, memory. It also exercises facial, thoracic and abdominal muscles. It massages the organs and more effectively works on the intestines, which can aid in digestion and improved bowel function. And we know how many of us are challenged by the curse of constipation. Since laughter releases endorphins, it can help with pain and also be used as a distraction, increasing your tolerance for pain. It assists in lowering your stress and even has a positive effect on some forms of diabetes.

Sometimes when people are in so much pain or have been fighting an illness for a long time, they may give up in life and lose the desire to participate and become inactive and withdrawn. At that moment there may not be the ability to see any hope, and laughter may seem impossible to muster up. As a healing clown, where I am known as Dr. Schmata, performing on pediatric floors at some of NYC metropolitan hospitals, I have seen the remarkable effects of laughter for healing.
A mother stopped me in the hallway of one of the hospitals as I was making clown rounds to tell me the story of her son. She said "I had a severely ill 9 year old child. One day he was in so much pain he said to me 'Mommy I want to die.' On that same day, 2 clowns came into his room, gently played and entertained and were able to get my child involved and distracted from his pain and situation for a moment in time. He was able to muster up laughter.. John is now 18 years old."

I always say "Where there is a Ha, there is hope." When there is a spark of laughter, it becomes the spirits way of saying, " I am here, I will work at making you well," which allows healing to begin. So is the power of laughter. It is so simple and yet the benefits are so profound.

If you're not feeling up to snuff, physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually - take the laughter prescription.There are absolutely no bad side effects. Your good health will flourish and your life will be experienced more joyfully. Remember to "Get Your Laugh On." Laugh more, laugh longer and laugh harder.

Marilyn Galfin is a professional clown working with the Big Apple Circus Clown Care, owner of Clown Around Town, certified laughter leader,a mime and comedian. She is the creator of the "Playtime Funshop" (play date for grown-ups) and the Rock Your Spirit Workout. She has a bachelors degree in dance. Check out her workshops and fun novelty products including "Canned Laughter" at www.laff-a-rama.com.