Proof that Laughter is The Best Medicine

I am always on the lookout for articles that reinforce my strong belief that laughter is the best medicine. For many years people would say it so often that it became cliché. In the past few years things have changed. More evidence is emerging to validate the claim and of course there I am in the midst of the discussion gobbling up all the supportive information I can.

Ever since I was introduced to the writings of Norman Cousins in, "Anatomy of an Illness", I have been fascinated by the role of the human mind in healing and wellness, specifically the role of humour and laughter. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a terminal illness in midlife, he immediately set out to alter his fate.

Through attitudinal transformation he shifted his thinking from negative to positive, from fear to hope. By saturating his life with humour and laughter he was able, with the co-operation of modern medicine of course, to overcome his terminal illness.

When Cousins died a few years ago he was in his seventies and the illness had never returned.
Recently, researchers at the Loma Linda Medical School in California validated the findings of Norman Cousins regarding the role of humour and laughter in healing and wellness. Doctor Stanley Tann has discovered that laughing frequently helps healthy people stay happy and healthy and sick people recover more rapidly.

He also found that laughter triggered physiological changes that benefit the lungs, muscles, heart, nerves, hormones and the entire immune system. Humour, it was discovered, kicked the immune system into high gear and actually prevented stress from undermining our immunity. With the renewed emphasis on a healthy immune system in recent years this is good news indeed.

Humour was found to reduce stress levels by one half and significantly raise the levels of gamma interferon, an immune system hormone. This alone is an important medical find due to the fact that stress is a leading cause of illness throughout North America. I read recently that 85 percent of all doctor visits are related to stress induced illness.

The activity of killer cells which destroy viruses and tumours was increased by twenty percent in the presence of laughter and humour. "B" cells, which produce antibodies to combat diseases are empowered by laughter, and an immune system component called immunoglobulin increased by ten percent.

By the way, nervous and cynical laughter did not produce the same positive results.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: LAUGHTER IS, INDEED, THE BEST MEDICINE

This is an excerpt from Mike's poplar book, "Embracing the Mystery" (Living the Life You Want)
Check it out here...
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?embracing

Mike Moore is a Canadian speaker who speaks and writes on Humour and Attitude in human health wellness and potential.
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