Laughter For Good Health

Laughter is good medicine for you. There is perhaps some truth in the saying: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Many doctors and psychologists believe laughter is good for the physical and mental health of a person. It has good healing effects.

Laughter can do the following things:

• It gives a healthy workout to many organs in the body. The diaphragm, the thorax, abdomen, heart and lungs are given a good exercise. It provides an internal massage.
• It improves blood circulation. By relaxing the blood vessels, it helps to prevent high blood pressure and protects against heart disease.
• It aids digestion by helping to stimulate the production of enzymes.
• It may act as a natural laxative and thus help those with problems of constipation.
• It helps to burn of calories.
• It stimulates the pituitary gland to release chemicals which act as natural pain killers.
• It is good for strenghtening your muscles by tightening and relaxing them. It provides good muscle activity in the face, neck, scalp and shoulders.

• It benefits your lungs by reducing the risk of getting infection of the lungs. Laughter helps to expel old residual air which is good breeding ground for bacteria.
• It can help in relieving headaches. You feel better according to some neurologists.
• It lightens stress, anxiety, depression and pain.
• It helps to fight against boredom, shyness, tension and worry, thereby contributing to one's mental health.
• It provides a healthy emotional outlet by helping to discharge excess, unnecessary energy.

The beneficial value of laughter is perhaps well summed up by a psychologist who said, "Laughter is good for both body and mind. It reduces nervous tension which upset body functions and it clears the mind of annoyances and ill will."