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!