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Why Humor Is Therapeutic (Plus
10 Clean Jokes To Heal Everyone At The Thanksgiving Table)
By B. SixWise
Want an easy and genuinely fun way to feel great and gain real
health benefits? Laugh. Laugh until your belly shakes. Laugh
until it hurts. Have a good laugh as often as you can.
We all know that stress, anger, sadness, guilt and other
negative emotions can take a toll on our health. Laughter, as it
turns out, has the opposite effect, and it seems the old proverb
"a merry heart doeth good like a medicine," was right
all along.
"We believe laughing is good for your health," said
Michael Miller of the University of Maryland School of Medicine
in Baltimore. "And we think we have evidence to show why
that's the case."
A "Ha-Ha-Ha" = A Happy Heart
Miller and colleagues examined the connection between blood
vessels' ability to expand (vasodilation) and laughter. If
vasodilation is poor, it can increase your risk of heart attack
and stroke. The study involved 20 adults who watched clips of a
violent movie and a humorous movie and had their vasodilation
tested. They found that:
Blood flow was significantly reduced (by about 35 percent) in
14 of the 20 volunteers who saw the stressful film.
Blood flow significantly increased (by 22 percent) in 19 of
the 20 volunteers after watching the funny movie.
What's more, researchers said the improvement in blood flow
experienced by most all participants after laughter was equal to
the improvements seen after a 15- or 30-minute workout!
"Laughter is not dissimilar from exercise," said Lee
Berk, an associate professor of health promotion and education
who studies laughter at Loma Linda University in California.
"It's not going to cure someone from stage three cancer,
but in terms of prevention it does make sense. In a sense, we
have our own apothecary on our shoulders. Positive emotions such
as laughter affect your biology."
How's Your Sense of Humor?
Another study conducted by Miller, this one of 300 people, found
that people with heart disease "responded less humorously
to everyday life situations." Not only did they laugh less,
even when the situation was positive, but they also showed more
signs of anger and hostility.
"The ability to laugh -- either naturally or as learned
behavior -- may have important implications in societies such as
the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one
killer," says Miller. "We know that exercising, not
smoking, and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the
risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should
be added to the list ... The recommendation for a healthy heart
may one day be exercise, eat right and laugh a few times a
day."
Other studies have found that laughing is not only good for your
heart; it may help boost the immune system and reduce
inflammation in the body, which is linked to a variety of
diseases.
Now on to the Laughing
Not to dampen the mood, but most of us could use some help in
this area. "Children laugh approximately 80 to 100 times
per day. By the time we reach adulthood, we laugh only 5-6 times
per day. You only need to watch children to appreciate the
relationship between humor and enjoying life. Children will
laugh at anything! If you ask them, "what's so funny,"
they may say something like, "he looked at me!" says
Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W., a motivational speaker and
consultant.
Adults, on the other hand, feel they need a reason to laugh
before doing so. Here, then, are 10 of them to get you started
in honor of the upcoming holiday.
1. If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most
famous for?
Their AGE
2. A turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to
perfect a better turkey. His family was fond of the leg portion
for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After
many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results
of his efforts to his friends at the general store get-together.
"Well, I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has six
legs!"
They all asked the farmer how it tasted.
"I don't know," said the farmer. "I never could
catch the darn thing!"
3. What sound does a space turkey make?
Hubble, hubble, hubble.
4. A woman was picking through the frozen turkeys at the
grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family.
She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any
bigger?" What did the stock boy say?
No, Ma'am. They're already dead.
5. Five Ways to Liven up Thanksgiving Dinner
Load your plate up high, then take it to the kitchen, toss it
all in the blender, and take your "shake" back to the
table. Announce that it's the new Thanksgiving Weight Loss
Shake.
When everyone goes around to say what they are thankful for,
say, "I'm thankful I didn't get caught," and refuse to
say anything more.
Bring along old recorded football games, pop them in the VCR
when Dad's not looking. Make sure it is set to the last two
minutes of the game. When he comes into the room, turn off the
VCR and turn on the regular TV.
Bring a date that only talks about the tragic and abusive
conditions known to exist at turkey farms.
During mid-meal turn to mom and say, "See mom, I told you
they wouldn't notice that the turkey was past expiration date.
You were worried for nothing."
6. Top 10 Signs You've Eaten Too Much at Thanksgiving Dinner
(From David Letterman's Top 10 Lists)
Hundreds of volunteers have started to stack sandbags around
you.
Doctor tells you your weight would be perfect for a man 17 feet
tall.
You are responsible for a slight but measurable shift in the
earth's axis.
Right this minute you're laughing up pie on the carpet.
You decide to take a little nap and wake up in mid-July.
World's fattest man sends you a telegram, warning you to
"back off!"
CBS tells you to lose weight or else.
Getting off your couch requires help from the fire department.
Every escalator you step on immediately grinds to a halt.
You're sweatin' gravy.
7. Thanksgiving in the UK
A few years ago, an American and a British journalist were
discussing Thanksgiving on a British radio program. The American
asked if Thanksgiving was celebrated in the UK.
"Yes," the British journalist replied, "but we
celebrate it on the 6th of September."
"Why then?"
"That's when you chaps left."
8. Why did the Pilgrims want to sail to America in the
spring?
Because April showers bring Mayflowers.
9. What is your favorite thing to make for Thanksgiving
dinner?
Reservations!
10. Twas the Night of Thanksgiving
Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep
The leftovers beckoned -- the dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation ...
The thought of a snack became infatuation ...
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky ...
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie,
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees ...
Happy eating to all ... pass the cranberries, please!
About the Author: This article was provided by the world's #1
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