9 Very Real Benefits of Laughter

Laughter is medicine and science says there are real and tangible benefits associated with laughter.  So if you love laughter and crave comedy, maybe that’s just your body nudging you toward better health.

Here's Those 9 Very Real Reasons:

1.  It’s good for your heart!  One study showed that people who have heart disease tend to laugh less than people who don’t.  They also responded with less humor to normal life situations.  Humor is good for your heart!

2.  Helps fight cancer.  The Cancer Treatment Centers of America actually use laughter  therapy to boost immunity, relieve pain, and improve moods in cancer patients.

3.  Heals relationships.  One of the greatest benefits of laughter is that it brings people closer together.  It can relieve anger and anxiety while restoring positive feelings.  Laughter can break the tension in a  tough moment and pave the way for finding solutions to relationship problems.

4.  Makes work fun.  Humor in the workplace (appropriate humor, of course) is a great way to boost creativity and productivity, and strengthens teamwork and morale.

5.  Relieves stress.  It probably goes without saying, but it’s such an important benefit and it’s well worth the mention:  laughter is a huge stress reliever.  Stress is one of the top causes of modern disease, so this might be why laughter has so many health benefits.  It relieves tension and gets oxygen pumping through the whole body, which is exactly what you need when you are stressed out.

6.  Stops pain.  Laughter raises endorphins, chemicals in your brain that are tied to pain relief.  Researchers at Oxford University found a dose-related laughter effect – the more people laugh, the less pain they feel.

7.  Fights depression.  Everyone knows that laughter can lift your spirits, but it can go deeper than that.  Research shows that laughter aids depression recovery, and people who laugh more become depressed and anxious less often.  People who use humor as a coping mechanism  generally have a more positive view of life, which can help prevent feelings of depression.

8.  Boosts your immunity.  Laughter can improve immune system activity, while stimulating circulation and oxygen intake throughout the body.

9.  Sleep better.  A study in Japan showed that laughing more in the evening actually improved sleep quality.  So watch a little of your favorite sitcom or reading a funny book before bed might help you catch some more shut-eye.

7 Senseless Habits to Drop in 2014

Motivational speaker and author Shawn Anderson takes the idea of "living a life you love" seriously. With a mission of empowering one million people to lead a more positive and purposeful life, Anderson shares seven senseless habits to let go of in 2014.

"Why would we ever want to live a life that makes us unhappy?" Anderson says. "We read everywhere about what we need to do to be successful. But I believe if we just change a few of our habits, we'd be much closer to leading a life we love." Anderson continues, "Sure, some of the seven items on the list may sound harsh, but if we don't stop doing them, the lousy results we will produce later will feel a lot harsher."

7 Senseless Habits to Drop in 2014

HABIT #1: Quit hanging out on Facebook. "Facebook is a fun way to kill time," Anderson says. "But that's what it does: it kills time. Time that could be used to create, inspire and build."

HABIT #2: Quit Keeping Up With the Kardashians. "Filling our heads with unedifying TV doesn't do a lot to help us achieve a better life," Anderson comments. "Instead, exchange an hour of TV time to build your own dream rather than a celebrity's dream."

HABIT #3: Quit staying up late. "The surest way to be unmotivated on a Monday is to stay up late on a Sunday. Want to feel energized? Watch a few more sunrises."

HABIT #4: Quit spending money you don't have. "Having the freedom to do what you want in life starts with not being chained down by financial obligations. Give your credit card a rest."

HABIT #5: Quit working at a job you hate. "Nothing saps the life out of you more than working at a job you hate. Find something else."

HABIT #6: Quit hanging out with negative people. "If you have people in your life who drain you of all that is positive, ask yourself 'Why in the world are they even in my life?'"

HABIT #7: Quit pointing fingers. "Take a massive leap forward and take responsibility for where you are in your life. It's not your boss's fault...or your spouse's...or the government's that you're not where you want to be. It's your own cause-and-effect decisions that have you sitting where you are."

Source:  ShawnAnderson.comShawnAnderson.com..