Be
optimistic . . .
Prevention
Magazine editor
Liz Vaccari was on one of the morning shows recently.
Part of her message was to be "engaged" in
our activities and enjoy the moment. She also talked about changing
one's mindset, as in the old advice of "fake it till you
make it". Her comments so made me think of laughter in the
absence of humor and how it can help us to be more
fully engaged in all of our activities and, with
laughter, we definitely enjoy the moment, don't we?
Here is an
excerpt from the article she referred to and a direct link so that
you may read it in its entirety.
Prevention
Magazine Jan 07 Therese
Droste is a freelance health and fitness writer based in Washington,
DC.
PollyAnna
was right: Optimists live longer than pessimists, according to a study
of over 1,100 people tracked for 30 years by researchers at the Mayo
Clinic.
And, in a
separate study of 999 people, men and women ages 65 to 85, researchers
in the Netherlands found that optimistic participants had lower rates
of heart disease and were 77% less likely to die of cardiovascular
diseases.
(Wonder
what the stats would have been had they used laughter-in-the-absence-of-humor
to measure their optimism?)
Switch
jobs Yes, your
critical boss really can make you sick. The more your job
stresses you out, the greater your chance of developing
metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that increase
the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a study
of over 10,000 British civil servants.
(I think
your boss would rather protect the investment he already has in
you. The cost of training and replacement is so high these days.
We could improve your boss's attitude a great deal by engaging him
or her in morning Laughter Links classes.)
Turn
on the tunes.
Researchers
found that classical music, particularly Baroque--think Pachelbel's
Canon in D--works well. Music with adagio movements of 60 beats per
minute produced heightened alpha brain wave activity similar to that
found during deep relaxation and meditation.
"Have
you heard the one about...?"
Researchers
at Loma Linda University Medical Center (Which
we have already featured in our research
section )
had adults view funny videos, and found that humor
triggered a physiological response similar to exercise. Laughter increased
endorphins and neurotransmitters, lowered stress hormone levels, and
activated T-cells, which fight viruses. Too buttoned up to belly laugh?
Consider joining a laughter club for some help. (And
of course, we recommend you bring Laughter Links
to your workplace so all your bosses and co-workers can benefit from
all that laughter-in-the-absence-of-humor can do for YOU! Here
is how to get started
And for
those of you who's boss won't pay for your laughter training.
Do
what they suggested on Good Morning America.
Chuck
Your Change
If
the boss won't pay for your laughs, take up a collection
on your own. Place a computer-generated or handmade sticker saying, "Chuck
Your Change!" on an upturned large water bottle. Set it out in a high-visibility
location within your office, so co-workers are encouraged
to contribute. Your pennies for perks will add up quickly.
They
also reported, "The majority of executives and HR professionals
say a culture of fun at work can improve communication,
reduce stress, build loyalty and retention, and increase productivity
among employees."
And, more
research in the news - Laugh and the whole world laughs
with you: . . . why the brain just can't help itself check
it out - from London as featured in Science
Daily.
Until
next time … laugh yourselves
silly. You'll feel better!
Judy back
to E-zine list
P.S. You have received this issue because you have shown
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The more we spread the word, the sooner the world will
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Laughter
is good for the soul and good for business too!
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