THIS JUST IN: H3 GIVING AWAY FREE STAYS

GOT YA!  April Fools!

 

Today is the first day of April.  For many – that doesn’t really mean much – except the start of a new spring month.  For some – their inner jokester lets loose and the foolery begins!

 

If you were the butt of an April fool’s joke today – there is a good chance you ended up with a few laughs.  Hopefully you didn’t end up too upset, because after all, laughing is good for you!

 

Check out our 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 countdown of the way LOL benefits the body and mind:

 

 Physical Health Benefits:

1.  Boosts Immunity.  Increases immune cells and decreases our stress hormones.

2.  Decreases Pain.  Laughter triggers endorphins they may temporarily relieve pain.

3.  Guards Against Heart Disease.  Improves our blood vessel functioning while increasing blood flow.

4.  Muscle Relaxation.  One solid bout of laughter relieves tension and stress for up to 45 minutes.

 

 Mental Health Benefits:

1.  Alleviates Anxiety and Fear.  When you laugh there’s no way to feel sad, angry, or scared!

2.  Elevates Mood.  Who doesn’t feel splendid when they are laughing?

3.  Reduces Unnecessary Stress.  An opportunity to relax, allows us to focus and be in the moment.

 

 Social Health Benefits:

1.  Enhances relationships and group connections.  Keeps them fresh and exciting, creates an emotional sharing effect.

2.  Does away with conflict.  Lets us stop judging, criticisms and doubts fly out the window. 

 

 Number one:

1.  Laughter is versatile and contagious.   No matter what’s going on in our lives a simple smile goes a long way.  Plus it’s fun, free, and easy to execute!

 

So now that you see all of the healthy benefits of laughing – I thought I would share one more fun fact… In a study done by Vanderbilt University, they found adults burn an average of 1.3 calories per minute. Looks like it’s time to laugh it up!

 

Did you pull any April Fool’s Day pranks?  If not – were you fooled?

  

 

Reference:

“Laughter is the Best Medicine” Melinda Smith, M.A., Gina Kemp, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., May 2009, http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm