Using Laughter And Humor to Manage Stress

William Fry found that one minute of laughter does an equivalent amount of work as 15 minutes of work out on the rowing machine. Now isthatnot a fun and effective exercise to do?

Some studies show that apositive mindset, with asense of humorandactual laughinghelp to improve outlook in life, gives better health and immune system. A sense of humor and actual laughing is touted to be an effective way to reduce stress.

Laughing, like deep breathing sends freshoxygeninto our cells and organs, pulls our body and facialmuscles, changes ourheart rateandblood pressureand increases the release ofendorphinswhile reducing cortisol. Thank goodness for laughter that is free and a healthy sense of humor!

Never mind if you do not feel that there is very much to smile or laugh about. Some researches think that our body cannot tell if the laughter is spontaneous or simulated. So start smiling even when you do not feel like smiling and you can feel better. Start simulating the act of laughing; start learning how to laugh and have a little fun.  Take a lighter stance if you are feeling too serious, uptight or uneasy and see if we feel any differently.

Laughing, deep breathingreplenishesyour body with generous gulps ofoxygen. And as you laugh more heartily, you begin to relax and see things with a different perspective. Your body then releases endorphins, the feel good chemical that will help you neutralize the sense of pressure and overwhelm.

Laughing heartily also help youburn up calories(about 50 calories for a good hearty laugh of 15 minutes, according to Maciej Buchowski)! That must be great news for those of us who are wanting to burn more calories! No wonder they say "Laughter is the Best Medicine"!

I have a free report on how you can "learn to laugh" to help manage stress. Make use of and follow the exercises mentioned there and add more laughter and joy into your life — and the life of those around you.

Humor and laughter can be a form of exercise to help you manage your daily stress, alone or in a group. I wonder if we should start having regular "laughing" time so we can fill up our oxygen supply, burn up some calories and feel a whole lot better!