Laugh as often as possible

Five Tips to De-Stress Your Life

by Dr. Kathleen Hall, Ph.D.

February 6, 2008

Laugh as often as possible

Laugh to release endorphins, or healing hormones. When you laugh, you’ll immediately experience a boost in your mood, and the diameter of your arteries will actually increase (up to 22 percent), which fosters improved blood fl ow. Re-discover your “childlike” qualities, and explore the healing power of play. Play board games with your family, tell jokes, watch a funny movie, or play an online game. Studies show that laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, and boosts immune function. It’s essential to establish balance in our lives and realize that we do have a say in the future of our health. These tips will help you schedule and prioritize the things you need to do, but it’s all about fi nding your own personal escape, and creating the rituals that are important to you.

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