You Haven't Hit Your Peak Yet!

10Humor/Laughter

Laughter: The natural high

Can you identify this description of a physical reaction?

• The neural circuits in your brain begin to reverberate;
• Chemical and electrical impulses start flowing rapidly through your body;
• The pituitary gland is stimulated, and hormones and endorphins race through your blood;
• Your body temperature rises half a degree;
• Your pulse rate and blood pressure increase;
• Your arteries and thoracic muscles contract, your vocal cords quiver, and your face contorts;
• Pressure builds in your lungs, your lower jaw becomes uncontrollable, and breath bursts from your mouth at nearly 70 miles per hour.

Okay, all you Grey’s Anatomy fans, what just happened? Should we call an ambulance?

Better to call a friend and share the joke with them. You just laughed!

Starting your day with a good laugh, or at least a big smile, is as beneficial to your health as it is to your mood. Scientific studies at Northwestern University and Fordham University concluded that laughter benefits the heart, lungs, stomach, and other organs. It relaxes tensions, changes attitude, and increases the body’s natural painkillers. It has no harmful side effects. Why don’t we do it more?

We used to, at least when we were little kids. Children laugh an average of 150 to 450 times a day, depending which study you believe, but all the research says adults laugh a paltry 15 times a day. That’s pathetic. Aren’t we supposed to work hard so that we can enjoy life?

Laughing isn’t hard work, ...