For the first time, researchers have found that laughter causes the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, to dilate. This increases blood flow which, of course, is good for overall cardiovascular health.The message is clear, and economical. "I think it would be reasonable for everybody to loosen up, and spend about 15 to 20 minutes a day laughing," said lead researcher Dr. Michael Miller, M.D. Director of Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Apparently the good Doctor and a lot of other brainiacs have documented what little kids have always known – life is pretty funny stuff, funny stuff makes you laugh, and laughing is a lot of fun! And kids do it constantly – about 300 times a day. And then we grow up. And then we mature. And then we stop – if not altogether, we slow down to an average rate of about fourteen laughs a day.
I was reminded yesterday how important it is to laugh at least fourteen times a day. It’s good for you physically, psychologically, emotionally. All sorts of studies have proven that laughter heals. Stuff way over my head about T-cells, cellular repair and regeneration. I DO get the bottom line: Giggling is good stuff.
One of my dearest friends on this planet or any other has been battling cancer since Christmas. His daughter emails us almost every night with a progress report. I am always moved when the report includes comments like: “Per usual, Dad had all the Doctors and nurses laughing…” His own laughter is healing him. And with his humor, he is healing us.
The only thing I can think of better than laughing fourteen times a day? Making fourteen other people laugh. So thank you, all you precious people in my life that make my cheeks hurt and my stomach ache from giggling. Bless you. And, keep up the good work!
Soldier on!!
--
Del.icio.us
Digg
