...Even Jesus Laughed

      Before you hit that button and move on to the next post, I want to assure you I'm not going to be getting all religious on you.  I'm just making a point that laughter fits in everywhere with everyone on God's green earth.  Even Jesus had a sense of humor.  We take so many things too seriously today and it's time to take a step back and let out a hearty laugh!  There's an old saying that goes, "Laughter is the best medicine."  This is very true...for whatever ails you.  Laughing really does benefit all of us; physically, mentally, even spiritually.

      I've been told so many times by so many people, "Rob, you need to get serious."  Why?  So I can become a grumpy, old poop?  I don't think so...that's never going to happen.  As you can tell from the theme behind most of what I write, I believe in interjecting a bit of humor into pretty much whatever I post.  Humor makes people happy and being happy makes people feel better...even when they're not in the mood and don't want to feel that way.  Not one of us has made it this far in life without letting out a hearty belly laugh at some point and doesn't it feel darned good?  From children to adults, male or female, even the stuffiest, old codger and the most holy of the rollers; we like to laugh.

      It can be a subtle snicker, giggle, chuckle, or chortle.  Any way you laugh will benefit your well being.  We all have a different sense of humor, but everywhere we look, we can find something to laugh about.  It can be at ourself or others.  Maybe a young one says something that just strikes you funny.  Oh, what comes out of the innocent mouths of babes.  It could be a simple joke or picture.  Maybe you enjoy a little bawdiness or something rather risque.  A situation at hand might do the trick.  Mom stumbles while carrying a cake to the table, it flies up and there she stands with frosting all over her face.  You're walking with a friend who slips on the ice and lands in a snow bank.  We can find humor in almost anything.

      Laughter, even when it's forced and fake, makes us feel like a ton has been lifted off our shoulders.  It gives us a feeling of total relaxation; total well-being.  Bear with me while I get a bit technical, but only to prove to you what I've believed in for many years and I'm sure you'll agree in seeing the benefits, too.  Any type of laughter emulates yoga breathing exercises.  It involves all of your stomach muscles along with chest, neck and facial muscles.  These muscles tense while you're laughing.  Those and surrounding muscles relax after laughing leaving you physically relaxed.  The good thing about laughing, too...you can do it in any position; sitting, standing, bending over, laying down.

      There are many positive effects on the body from laughing...and they're proven facts.  It improves vascular health lessening heart disease and lowering the risk of heart attacks.  After laughing for just a few minutes, it improves blood flow 22% with your blood vessels dialating.  They open up for better blood circulation.  Laughing decreases stress hormones.  The levels of epinephrine, cortisol, dopac and some growth hormones lower during the course of laughing.  Laughter has a positive effect on the immune system, lowers blood pressure, kills some forms of viral cells that cause various types of cancer and reduces different forms of body pain.  Just one minute of laughing, a meer 60 seconds, gives you the same results as walking 10 minutes on a treadmill.  For those of you who don't eat a balanced diet and never get out to excerise; you get the last laugh here.  The next time you see a jogger go past, you can sit and laugh at them.  Now you know you're getting some of the same benefits by giggling as you point a finger at them for sweating and getting all tired out from running.  But a laughing jogger is twice as far ahead in the game.

      People around the world have known laughing is a good thing for many years.  In India, there are yogis who gather others together in public parks on a daily basis...just to laugh and improve their health.  Laughter clubs have formed everywhere; and I'm not talking about places where comedians take to the stage to do stand-up routines; though they work, too...if you have someone funny enough to make you chuckle.  There are now over 5,000 laugh clubs where people gather just to giggle and jiggle and feel better after a few minutes of fun.  Copenhagen, Denmark holds a World Laughter Day Celebration where over 10,000 citizens join together with one purpose in mind...to join together and laugh. 

      You can laugh alone, share a snicker with someone special or get a group together to guffaw.  Laughter is a universal language where you don't even have to be able to understand what another person says.  How many times have you broken into a laugh simply reacting to hearing someone else laugh?  Even the way others laugh can make you join the chorus...the person who snorts while they laugh or the one who breathes in deeply while chortling and makes them sound like they're laughing backwards...Eeh, eeh, eeh...even the ones who pass gas while giggling.  We've all got friends who are funny, so take advantage of their sense of humor.  Not only are they good people, but they have health benefits, too. 

      Can you imagine what a day would be like hanging out with me when I'm on a roll?  Spend an hour with me and see how long it takes before you're on the floor or peeing your pants.  Do that and I'll be laughing at you, too!  I don't care where I am or what the situation...I like to laugh and make others do the same, too.  When I'm in the hospital, I have the nurses clamoring to come into the cut-up's room.  Maybe that's why I don't remain a patient as long as some.  The laughter has helped shorten my road to recovery...or they're just glad to get rid of me.  Come to a family funeral with me.  I'm the one crouching behind the casket making fake fart noises like they're coming from the dearly departed.  The next time you're down or not feeling well; go ahead and try it.  Let out a long, loud one...laugh, that is.  Just call me "Doctor Rob"; your phunny physician.  Now take off your clothes.  Oops...Sorry I laughed at you!