How could being intentional about having a daily quota of laughter possibly help someone in recovery from drugs and alcohol? In more ways than you might think…
Laughter has a way of setting our perspective straight. In the busyness of family, work, and life, in general, we can forget to intentionally take time to laugh.
Maybe it's memories with friends, our favorite sitcom or movie, or playing with kids. Whatever it is that helps you get the belly rolling with laughter, it would benefit you to do it more.
You might think that you don’t have much to laugh about in life right now, maybe learning about all the amazing benefits of laughter will help you look for reasons to laugh more. The health benefits, emotional benefits, and mental benefits are lengthy and surprising.
Did you know that laughter is a natural painkiller?
Multiple studies have shown that laughter releases the “happy” brain chemical known as endorphins. As your body releases these natural “feel good” chemicals stress is lowered, chronic pain eased, and anxiety reduced.
Not in a laughing kind of mood?
It’s OK because your body can’t tell the difference between fake laughter and real laughter. So fake laugh yourself into a release of endorphins and let the natural happy feel-good chemicals produce genuine laughter and reap all the benefits as you do so.
Don’t feel like working out today?
It’s OK to skip a day at the gym, just get a good laugh in. Fifteen minutes of laughter can burn up to forty calories, so laugh it up!
Not feeling too good?
Laughter is proven to strengthen your immune system. Laughter “increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.”
Having trouble with digestion?
Yes, you guessed right, laugh more! Laughter improves your body’s ability to digest food properly.
Having trouble sleeping?
Laughter produces a natural melatonin and relaxes the body. A little laughter before bed can cause much better sleep.
Convinced yet?
Believe it or not, these are only some of the benefits that come from a lifestyle of laughter.
Early recovery can leave us with some health issues, trouble sleeping, body aches, weak immune system, and so on. Take time to laugh more and reap the benefits as you feel better and smarter while doing it!
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Erik is a certified Life Coach and Recovery Coach. He has been coaching people into recovery and more of their life purpose for years.
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