Julia Griggs Havey, Ediets Master Motivator
June 13, 2005
Link: No joke: Study finds laughing can burn calories.
If you don't know it, laughing is good for you. It will raise levels of cells in your immune cells, increase the chemical output that gives you that euphoria feeling, helps keep stress at bay....and now, apparently it's good for burning calories, too!
If you observe children and observe those of retired age (over 65), you'll see a difference in who laughs more. Maybe this could be a part of the equation that contributes to obesity - a lack of laughter. "No..." you say? Well, think of it this way: doesn't your ability to laugh bear a direct reflection of your attitude? I think it does. I believe if you can laugh at the simple things and the humor about those simple things, then you probably have a pretty good attitude. Of course we're not talking about laughing at someone else's harm or bad fortune - that could be considered cruel. This kind of laughter should be pure - something cute a child says, a character in a Jim Carrey movie, or your 94 year-old grandmother telling you she wishes everyone were as perfect as we are (that really happened, and she was really kidding!).
If you think that your attitude is a reflection of how well you can laugh, then maybe it's also a reflection of how well you can get out and move around and take a walk or go on a bike ride or try roller blading. Laughing is child-like and if you want to stay feeling young and energetic, then you've got to keep some of those child-like qualities.
Does life beat us up to much as we age that we stop laughing as much as when we were kids? Could we take the time to smell the flowers, and enjoy some time finding humor? My husband and I enjoy watching funny movies with the kids every now and then, and I think we sometimes get carried away. And we like to joke with one another as long as we all know it's not at the other person's expense.
So go ahead laugh it up! It will improve your mood, your energy level, your overall health.... and you'll know you're burning some calories too!
Carpe Diet
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