Five for Friday, Episode 072, Benefits of Humor on the Mind

Your body cannot heal without play.
Your mind cannot heal without laughter.
Your soul cannot heal without joy.
-- Catherine Rippenger Fenwick

Through the month of January Helen & Jerry will be discussing the benefits of humor for the mind, body, and spirit.  Humor should be a part of a everyone's healthy self care program, simply for the benefits it provides.

In this 5 for Friday Helen & Jerry discuss the benefits of humor and laughter for the mind.  Did you know that on average children laugh approximately 300 times a day, while adults only laugh approximately 17 times a day.  It's no wonder so many adults are feeling stressed and burned out.  

There are some great things about laughter. 

• Laughter is contagious.
• Laughing burns calories.  It's often called internal jogging. 
• Laughter is cross-cultural.  You don't even have to speak the same language to enjoy a laugh together. 

The are many positive benefits of humor for the mind.

• Regulates cortisol and epinephrine, which are stress hormones.
• It boosts your immune system
• Increases endorphins, which reduce pain and provide feelings of pleasure.
• Effects dopamine levels that regulate mood, motivation, and learning.

So for your own benefit, laugh a little more!