Self-Care September Day 12: Seek Out Opportunities to Laugh

Laughter is good for your body, mind, and soul. It can...

• Stimulate your organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.

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• Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.

Self-Care September Day 12: Seek Out Opportunities to Laugh
Gift yourself some laughter today.

Read a funny book, watch a funny movie, listen to a comedy special or humor-based podcast. Call your funniest friend for a chat or take extra effort to look for the humor in a tough situation. I promise it's there.
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Check out my blog post 3 Reasons to Choose Laughter for a list of specific suggestions to explore. Happy laughing!
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I love you and will see you soon!
xo,
Coach Alex