You could do with a bit of perking up and so the people around you, by letting yourself make a winsome smile. Smiling, laughing, and positive thinking have been shown to have a huge number of health benefits to both mind and body.
You bet there are, and here are some of them;
Smile. Free yourself from disease-causing stress.
Stress has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins. These are brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which make us feel happy. They are also a natural pain and stress reliever.
Laughing reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and gives us a quick burst of energy.
A good laugh can be beneficial to the lungs, boost immunity, and could even burn off calories.
Laughter protects your heart.
A study by heart specialists at the University of Maryland has shown that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Laughter has been found to benefit the way blood flows around the body, reducing the likelihood of heart disease. According to the research, 15 minutes of laughter a day is as important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week!
A good laugh can be beneficial to the lungs.
Laughter improves your breathing. It empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect – similar to deep breathing. This is especially helpful for people who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
Laughter boosts your immune system.
Researchers have found that laughter actually boosts the immune system, increasing the number of antibody-producing T cells. This then makes us less likely to get coughs and colds. It also lowers the levels of at least four hormones that are associated with stress, so after a good giggle you should be far less tense and anxious.
Smiling and laughing could even burn off calories.
Burning off calories by laughing might not sound as if it has much use, but a hearty chuckle raises the heart rate and speeds up the metabolism.
If you’re dieting, think about adding laughter to your exercise regime. A good sitcom might easily keep you laughing for 20 minutes or more! (Try The Big Bang Theory)
Finally, smiley and happy people are thought to have more friends and be more successful, by appearing more confident and approachable.
