Laughter Can Help You Survive
The Toughest Aspects Of Life

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Published by Rachelle Disbennett-Lee
Wednesday, November 28, 2001
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Laughter can be the elixir that is needed to cope with the stress, frustration, and anger that can be found in daily life. Laughter relaxes the muscles and allows for deep breathing. Breakthrough medical research is shedding new light on the physiologically beneficial effects of laughter on health.

Laughter can come in handy when we are dealing with illness, the pressures of daily stress and work. Laughter helps us get in touch with our feelings and ease the pain of difficult situations. Having a sense of humor is important. Laughing is essential. Laughter is not the same as humor. Laughter is a physical and physiological response to humor.

A few of the benefits of laughter:

Can boost the immune system
Lower blood pressure
Clear the respiratory tract
Provides a workout for your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles

Craig Zablocki, a humorist and speaker who gives presentations to victims' groups and health-care professionals says laughter is the best medicine. "It's exactly what the world needs most, especially now." According to Zablocki there is a time to cry and people should cry when tragic things happen. "But they have to remember to laugh."

When we are distressed or under any extreme pressure, we are intensely focused on the problem. We are so close to the situation, it can be impossible to see beyond what is happening. It can feel like we are all alone. The situation can seem so big that it is difficult for us to step back. The problem will color our view of the entire world. Laughter can be a way to step back from the problem and give us a different perspective. Laughter is cathartic; it can clear our heads and help us refocus. According to Lisa Rosenberg, PhD., R.N., laughter can help us cope with stressful situations. Laughing "gives us a mental break and increases our objectivity in the face of overwhelming stress". (Psychology Today. 1993, Vol 26 No.4., p.18)

Coaching

Is your LPD (Laughs per Day) average running low? Laughter is so essential to a healthy happy life. It will make even the bleakest of situations seem lighter. The problem is we can get so caught up in what is happening that we can forget to laugh. Remind yourself everyday to laugh. One of my daily habits is to laugh. I sometimes even write in my Daytimer, "Don't forget to laugh today."

Is your LPD being met everyday?

Daily Success Formula

Laughter = Good for your health

Quotes

"Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not." Vaclav Havel

"A good laugh is sunshine in the house." William Makepeace Thackeray

"He who laughs, lasts." Mary Pettibone Poole

"If you don't learn to laugh at troubles, you won't have anything to laugh at when you grow old." Ed Howe

Laughter Resources

Craig Zablocki
http://www.positivelyhumor.com