File this under News that Should've Been in the Headlines but Wasn't.
A study conducted by Maciej Buchowski, Ph.D of Vanderbilt University Medical Center has found that a good laugh can do more than merely lift your mood: it can also burn a significant number of calories.
Buchowski found that laughing increases an individual's heart rate 10 percent to 20 percent. Ten to 15 minutes of laughter could increase energy expenditure by 10 to 40 calories per day, which could translate into about four pounds a year.
In a similar study conducted by by Dr. Helen Pilcher formerly of London’s Institute of Psychiatry and her fellow researcher, Timandra Harkness, it was discovered that laughing out loud for one hour can burn as many calories as working out in the gym for half an hour.
Researchers believe that laughter gives the body a "mini aerobic workout," and claim that it has the same effect on our body as of aerobic exercise. When we laugh, our heart starts beating faster and larger amounts of blood runs through our body.
Furthermore, it makes the chest rise and fall, which in turn means that abdominal muscles have to work harder, which can help to tighten them.
“Laughter gets the heart beating faster and boosts blood flow,” said neuroscientist Pilcher, who also works as a comedian. “As you giggle and gasp for air, you breathe in more oxygen. The chest rises and falls and abdominal muscles get a good workout.”
One hour’s strong laughter can burn up to 100-120 calories and boost the energy a person uses by up to 20 percent, which is the equivalent of vacuuming for 40 minutes, walking for 15-20 minutes or doing 18-27 minutes of weightlifting, researchers have calculated.
Calorie burn isn't the only health benefit to be had from a good guffaw. Research studies conducted by William Fry, MD at Stanford University Medical School found that "mirthful laughter ('belly laughs') markedly enhances the body's ability to resist illness.
According to Dr. Fry, lab tests showed that the immune systems of the "laughers" tend to release more disease-fighting "T cells" from the spleen into the bloodstream than do the systems of the "non-laughers."
"There's no doubt that mirthful laughter stimulates the quantity of T cells, and also their vitality," says the Stanford psychiatrist.
Instead of joining a gym, the only membership you'll need in order to lead a fit and happy life might simply be a Netflix one.
Isn't that good news?
Comments
Isn't is said that, "Laughter is the best medicine..."
"Healing power of Humour
Norman Cousins, a famous journalist in the USA, who, in his 60's, cured himself of a potentially fatal illness by laughter. Do you remember his book `The Anatomy of an Illness'? Cousins, with his ankylising spondilitis, heard his life expectancy was almost nil.
Cousins checked himself out of the hospital and into a hotel with a private nurse to care for him. Incidentally, this worked out cheaper than a hospital. So he spent what he thought would be his last months reading PG Wodehouse, watching funny movies, videos, reading funny books, listening to top humourists on tape and engaging in a continuous party. He believed the only thing to do was to spend every last moment in bliss. He recovered from his illness and went back to work!
Norman Cousins was made the first non-medical honorary president of the American Medical Association in one of the States. He was the first non-medical author to write a leading article in a major medical journal on his experience. He holds the only honorary medical degree awarded at Yale University School of Medicine by the New Haven County Medical Assn and the Connecticut State Medical Society. He finally died recently, aged 84. "
http://www.lymphoedemasupport.com/laughter.php
Laughter(2) - Stress (-12)
_________________ = WHY IS MY ASS SO BIG???
(5 kids)(29 loads of laundry)
(OK, I hadn't read the good doctor's comments, and I'd hate to contradict him in his medical wisdom. Thing is, I'm not willing to experiment to find out. Just sayin'.)
Live Well, Love Big, Laugh Hard..
Thank you for this..
Okay everyone, let's start trying to see the funny side of 2010!
Lisa Kern – you’re a doll.
Patricia - I agree. A good belly laugh can do wonders. I think we should all partake more often, don't you?
Eva - Who knew that you were actually improving your health by watching that comedy? Such good news!
Susan - Thanks for the belly laughs from your Naked Dog Grooming post. I feel so healthy now.
Maria - Yep, number one should be to laugh more. Finally a resolution we can all keep!
Chuck - I hear you. I'd be a basket case if I couldn't find the humor in life.
Pete - What an inspiring story! I love hearing about human triumphs such as this. Thank you so much for sharing it as well as the link to more information.
Mother - I feel the same way. It's gotta be the stress that's the problem because there's no shortage of laughter in this house. Thanks for making me giggle at your math formula. XOXO
Robin - Thanks for stopping by to share this good news. :)
Mamoore - Isn't it lovely to think of how many laughs you'll need to burn off that cookie rather than thinking of how many miles on the dreadmill?
Owl - I agree. Why wasn't this all over the media?
Skeletnwmn - Oh yes! Come over to my house and we'll get into all sorts of trouble, er, I mean, find all kinds of things to laugh about.
Dr. Spud - See Mother's formula above. It must be the stress making them fat. You know, cortisol and all that.
Steve - Now why can't I find a doctor like you around here? That's some advice that I'd willingly follow!
JLynne - You're going to be laughing for a long time with all of the wonderful movie suggestions you've received. :)
AtHomePilgrim - Bwahaha! Yep, it's probably best to laugh either before or after the sex. Timing is everything when it comes to romance.
Fireeyes - I like your phrase "Live Well, Love Big, Laugh Hard." Wouldn't we all be in much better shape if we followed that advice?
Sandra - Or you could suggest they get their funny bone looked at (I know, I know...groan!)
Joan - Cheetos at the same time? Don't choke! That would NOT be funny.
Gail - I love when you said, "just hold the world at a slight angle." Yes, the view is much more entertaining that way. :)
David - XOXO
Kris - Yes! Gather the family together and watch Monty Python as Shiral suggests for your workout. What fun!
Jimmy - Thanks - you just helped me build some new T-cells with that comment.
Jill - Thank you for stopping by. :)
Lunchlady - You simply must tell us what you were laughing at. Just think of it: you could have your own exercise program!
Janie - Who knew there was a yoga position for laughter? I will definitely try that.
Shiral - Oh, yes - lots of Monty Python. :)
LandP - Just hang with me. You KNOW there's bound to be chocolate.
Sally - Hey, maybe that's my new career - weight loss guru! Of course, I have to figure it all out myself first. Thanks for your support and encouragement. XOXO