I am currently reading Positive Words, Powerful Results by Hal Urban. Thus far I have enjoyed the book as it discusses simple ways to honor, affirm, and celebrate life. There is a small discussion on Norman Cousins and how he used laughter and positive thinking to cure himself of a deadly disease. He went on to be the first person not having an M.D. to teach medicine and wrote about his experience in Anatomny of Illness.
Many in the medical field have proved his findings offering a list of the therapeutic benefits of laughter.
- It activates and strengthens the immune sytem.
- It reduces at least four hormones associated with stress
- It’s aerobic. It provides a “workout” for the diaphragm and increases the body’s ability to use oxygen.
- It relaxes the muscles.
- It can significantly reduce pain for long periods.
- It lowers blood pressure and can prevent hypertension.
- It improves respiration by emptying the lungs completely of the air they take in.
- It has no negative side effects.
- It’s available free anywhere without a prescription.
- It’s free.