The Healing Health Benefits of a Good Laugh | Affinity Health
Affinity Health, a leading provider of affordable high-quality medical insurance, highlights laughing as an affordable way of caring for your medical needs.
It is true: laughter is an immensely powerful medicine. It connects people in ways that result in positive physical and emotional changes in the body. Nothing works faster than a good chuckle to rebalance your mind and body.
Top 7 Health Benefits of Laughter
- Laughter has a calming effect on the entire body. A hearty laugh alleviates physical tension and stress, relaxing your muscles for up to 45 minutes
- Laughter helps to strengthen the immune system. Laughter reduces stress hormones and raises immune cells and anti-infection antibodies, increasing your resistance to sickness.
- Laughter causes the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, endorphins, to be released. Endorphins contribute to a general sensation of well-being and can even provide temporary pain relief.
- Laughter protects your heart. Laughter enhances blood vessel activity and blood flow, which may help prevent you from a heart attack or other cardiovascular disorders.
- Laughter helps you lose weight. While this is not a substitute for going to the gym, laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn around 40 calories.
- Laughter may extend your life. People with a great sense of humour outlive those without one. The difference was especially noticeable for cancer patients.
- Laughter lifts your spirits, and this good sensation lingers long after the laughter has subsided. Laughter serves as an antidote to stressful feelings.
How Can you Laugh More?
Even if you did not grow up in an environment where laughter was a frequent occurrence, you can learn to laugh at any stage of life.
“As with exercise, begin by setting aside particular times to search out humour and laughter and expand from there. Eventually, you will want to weave laughter into the fabric of your life, You’ll see the surprises it has in store for you,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
Here’s How You Can Lighten Up:
Smile:
Smiling is the precursor to laughter, and it, too, is contagious. Smile whenever you encounter someone or something moderately pleasing. Instead of staring down at your phone, raise your eyes and smile at the individuals you pass on the street, the person who serves you your morning coffee, or the co-workers with whom you share an elevator. Take note of the impact on others.
Count your blessings:
Make a list in the literal sense. Consider the positive aspects of your life. This simple effort will help you avoid negative ideas that stifle laughter.
Surround yourself with laughter:
When you hear laughter, make a beeline towards it. Surround yourself with people who see the brighter side of life and who can find humour in the challenges life throws their way.
Make it a point to laugh every day:
Make a conscious effort to discover something to make you laugh each day. Allow yourself 10 to 15 minutes to do something amusing. The more you become accustomed to laughing daily, the more naturally laughter will come.
About Affinity Health
Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading provider of health insurance. We offer a wide range of cover options at affordable rates. Medical cover includes access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of having medical insurance. We have designed healthcare products to protect you and your family when it matters the most. We strive to always give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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