BLD BLOG

Ah, the magic of laughter. It’s incredible to feel so filled up that you must burst at the brim…and laugh. Such a phenomenon!

We can be sincere about life without taking it too seriously. Some call it the sixth sense: the sense of humor. Humor isn’t merely about telling jokes; it’s the way we view the world. The perception of humor exists within your mind. It is culturally defined and socially constructed.

Laughter has physical, mental, emotional and social benefits. I did my research and all of the following benefits ROCK. The physical benefits of laughter listed below have been proven through studies time and time again.

LAUGHTER DOES A BODY GOOD BECAUSE IT…

1 – Invokes feelings of happiness and joy.

Facial expressions are not only reactions to emotional states, but can actually PROVOKE these states as well. FASCINATING, huh?!

2 – Relaxes the whole body.

A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

3 – Boosts the immune system.

Laughter increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. It is scientifically proven that people who laugh consistently are able to fight off illness better than those who don’t.

4 – Promotes overall sense of well-being.

Laughter triggers the instantaneous release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

5 – Reduces stress.

Laughter reduces at least four hormones associated with stress response: epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, dopamine, and growth hormone.

6 – Creates a positive frame of mind.

Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions.

7 – Prevents heart problems.

Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which will help protect you against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. When we laugh we lower our blood pressure, it increases the blood flow to the heart and pumps more oxygen into the blood. It also strengthens artery walls.

8 – Results in muscle relaxation.

While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh, relax. (Pay attention next time you laugh and you’ll definitely notice this!)

9 – Changes your perspective.

Humor gives us a more light-hearted perspective and helps us view events as challenges, not threats.

10 – Causes deep respiration.

Laughter 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.

11 – Lowers blood pressure.

People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than those who don’t.

12 – Increased intake of O₂.

During laughter, breathing then becomes deeper and sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.

13 – Creates immediate connection.

When two or more are laughing together – it creates a connection instantly.

14 – Gives a nice internal workout.

A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders. In doing my research for this article, I noticed that some experts call this “internal jogging”.  Funny, huh?!

15 – Can reduce and manage pain.

Two reasons: A) Laughter distracts you, taking your mind off of pain. B) Laughter-released endorphins (natural pain killers) attach to the same receptors in our brain as opiate-based prescription painkillers; thus, chemically giving you pain relief.

16 – Provides a physical release.

Have you ever felt like you “have to laugh or I’ll cry”? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.

17 – Enables you to live longer.

With everything listed above, I don’t think I even have to go into the WHY.

18 – is FUN!

And who doesn’t want more of that?!

Start smiling now and laughing ASAP. Think of times when you always laugh. Are there any common themes of who you are with, where you are, or what you are doing? Recreate those memories in new ways!

Some ideas: Watch your favorite funny movie, go to a comedy club, plan a game night with good friends, record your favorite funny show so that you’re sure not to miss it, talk on the phone to a good friend that you are sure to laugh with, schedule a time to meet someone you laugh with for happy hour or a coffee/tea, begin seeing things that happen in your life with an easier-going attitude (lighten up).

As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily.

Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.

“HE WHO LAUGHS, LASTS!”   -Mary Pettibone Poole

==========================================================

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?

Sign-up for a FREE subscription to Melissa’s weekly eZine, FULLY ALIVE, at www.BrilliantLifeDesign.com!

==========================================================

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Owner of Brilliant Life Design and twenty/thirty-something life coach, Melissa Foster, works with clients to take their life OFF of auto-pilot and get ON purpose. If you want to start living a life that delivers lasting success, sign up for a fre*e subscription to Melissa’s weekly eZine, Fully Alive at www.BrilliantLifeDesign.com.

When someone tells you of their devastating medical news, it can be hard to know exactly what to say. Here are four things to keep in mind so that you can be there for them in the most supportive way possible.

TIP #1: SHOW CONCERN, NOT FEAR

You know when someone else is fearful – even when they don’t verbalize it, you can almost smell it.

It would be unconstructive and discouraging for them to sense the fear that you may feel for them. Deal with your fear away from them. That is your stuff. Don’t even give them a chance to take on your fear.

Showing CARE and CONCERN for them, however, is completely appropriate.

Because there are parts of devastating medical news that present uncertainty and pain, that is all we tend to look at. We let fear of these things take over. It’s important to look at the big picture. Everyone has their own journey. And this news has become a part of theirs. Yes, there will be and is uncertainty and pain. There is ALSO the chance to take a step back and evaluate priorities, relationships, etc.

It’s not a joy ride. However, these are the kind of times where life lessons take place. And allowing fear to take over will only place drama in the situation. Read on for more tips to make sure you are showing care and concern.

TIP #2: DON’T SAY I’M SORRY

Often times, because we don’t know what to say, “I’m so sorry” is what comes out.

Saying sorry does not help the person in any way, shape or form.

Saying sorry implies doom.

Imagine being the one (or maybe you have been the one) informing the necessary people of a devastating diagnosis that’s been given to you. Can you imagine if every one of them said “I’m so sorry”? It would be disheartening.

And why say sorry? In a very subtle way (even though you don’t mean it this way), saying sorry makes it a little about you. And this is all about them.

Example: When they tell you their news, instead of “I’m sorry”, you could say “Oh wow. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot lately.” Let them know that you realize this is a big deal without having pity on them. And don’t say much more than that initially. They will most likely begin again with more information about what’s going on.

Keep reading for other appropriate things to say…

TIP #3: BE INTERESTED, NOT CURIOUS.

Be interested in them, not curious about their situation.

When you are curious, you are eager to learn the details of the situation. There is a sense of trivial and unnecessary conversation.

Being interested, you are more on their level wanting to connect and listen. There is a sense of care and concern.

If you are not at eye level when this news is delivered to you – get at eye level with them. This promotes more of an equal and connected feeling between the two of you.

Now, going back to the example: If while you are giving them the space to talk, there are several seconds of silence, you could ask something like…

“Have you already begun any treatment?” or “Have your doctors already set up a treatment plan with you?”

Asking these questions shows that you care about them and what they’re going through, not the details of the diagnosis. The details of the diagnosis are not for you to ask about because it doesn’t matter. It matters to the team of doctors that need to decide the course of treatment.

Curiosity and interest are two totally different energies. And if you think they can’t FEEL the difference between these two energies – think again.

TIP #4: BE COMFORTING

Be calm. Be warm. Be present.

Listen until they give you the space to talk. And when it is your turn to talk, say things that convey your support and care for them in a genuine and comforting tone of voice. Your tone of voice can make all of the difference.

See them through your eyes as the perfect soul that they are and nothing less.

Towards the end of your conversation, say could something to the effect of “If there is ever anything I can do to make any step of this journey a little easier for you – don’t hesitate to let me know.”

And if it feels right to you, drop them a card in the mail soon after to let them know that they are in your thoughts.

You can certainly say more than what I have offered in this article. My hope is that you get a sense of the overall tone that will be most helpful for the person.

==========================================================

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?

Sign-up for a FREE subscription to Melissa’s weekly eZine, FULLY ALIVE, at www.BrilliantLifeDesign.com!

==========================================================

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Owner of Brilliant Life Design and twenty/thirty-something life coach, Melissa Foster, works with clients to take their life OFF of auto-pilot and get ON purpose. If you want to start living a life that delivers lasting success, sign up for a fre*e subscription to Melissa’s weekly eZine, Fully Alive at www.BrilliantLifeDesign.com.

If you are anything like me, you like good food. I like food that tastes good and won’t mess with my sugar or hormone levels and won’t clog my arteries or my designer jeans:) I love how consistently great I feel when I eat clean. If you haven’t visited Hungry Girl yet, I encourage you to. The site is dedicated to providing tips and recipes to the modern day woman for lower calorie, more nutritious, super easy food. Although it’s geared for women, this site is just as useful for men. I get a daily email from them giving me a new tip or food idea. I rarely eat/drink artificial sweeteners and I try to eat real food (not already prepared) as often as I can. That limits the number of tips that I soak up from them. So, while I don’t love every tip and piece of advice on this site, I have gotten several new and fun snacks and meals. Sift through their recipes and info and, as always, take only what resonates with you and apply it. Some of my favorites are Peachy-keen Black Bean Soup, Holy Moly Guacamole, and this rundown on all things chili. Just thought I would pass it on to you! I hope you get a few tips from it as well!