Laughter seems to have a curative effect on all forms of illness and disturbance. It is being used to help patients with problems as diverse as depression, high blood pressure and cancer. It is hypothesized that laughter stimulates the immune system. Psychotherapists have begun incorporating humor in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
Cognitive Effects of Humor
When we are open to humor, we seem to change our mind set from a serious, rational and objective view of reality to a more playful and creative one. Instead of seeing one view of things we are willing to turn things around and upside-down to see other perspectives. We are able to see that no matter how serious things seem, there is always another view. This more flexible way of thinking gives us relief from our cognitive “ruts” and stereotyped negative thinking.
Emotional Effects of Humor
Humor is associated with pleasurable emotions such as joy, lightheartedness and playfulness. We feel like children again when we laugh. We become more spontaneous, open and less defensive. The unpleasant emotions of anger, sadness and anxiety are incompatible with this spirit of playfulness and we are released from their grip when we enter our fun zone.
Biological Effects of Humor
Humor seems to interrupt the stress response and the arousal pattern of the autonomic nervous system. Laughter opens up breathing, stimulates the immune system and increases tolerance to pain. The result is a decrease in stress hormones and an increase in healthy antibodies. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.
Get Funny
Open yourself to humor. Adopt the funny life style and share it with others. Read and tell jokes. Watch humorous movies and television. Stimulate your amuse system. Get serious about humor.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — Albert Einstein
Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing food. It has been used historically through the centuries. In early Assyrian medical texts it was referred to for treatments. In 400 B.C. the “Father of Medicine” Hippocrates used vinegar to treat his patients because of its wonderful antiseptic and antibiotic properties which scientists have rediscovered today. In the Bible it is mentioned to heal infectious wounds and sores. During the bubonic plague of Europe some enterprising thieves used a tincture of apple cider vinegar and garlic to protect themselves from infection of the ravaging disease as they robbed the bodies of the dead. It saved thousands of lives during the U. S. Civil War being used as a disinfectant on the injuries of the wounded. Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. It has little fat and sodium. It is high in potassium helping to re-establish a healthy digestive tract. It is a wonderful super food promoting growth of healthy micro flora in the body which is essential to heart health and proper immune function. Apple cider vinegar is high in pectin which lowers blood pressure. It lowers the bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol helping the body to function correctly. Today there are many new studies showing the wonderful nutritional benefits and healing that can occur through making apple cider vinegar part of your diet.
