As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions. In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too. Laugh More, Age Less Why Laughter Is Good for You
can pick up from ticks (mainly from transmitted bacteria like Ehrlichia and Anaplasma), all of them can cause fever and similar symptoms to Lyme disease, overall making your dog very, very sick. That’s why it’s so important to regularly check for ticks in your pets’ hair, especially in the thin-skinned areas like around the ears, armpits, groin, and around their neck. Here are four main culprit fleas and ticks responsible for the spread of these diseases in Iowa:
First, the American dog tick has a dark brown body, and females tend to have an off-white shield while adult males look more mottled.
Second, the Lone Star tick hasn’t become popular in Iowa yet, but it’s certainly making its way up north. It has a reddish-brown color, and females are identifiable by the lone white dot or “star” on their back. Third, the deer tick is easily identifiable by its reddish-orange body, black shield, and dark black legs. It’s most commonly responsible for spreading Lyme disease.
Fourth, the brown dog tick is reddish-brown and tends to be narrower than other ticks.
By recognizing your tick, you can help get specialized advice from your veterinarian and help your pet recover faster! However, the best way to fight ticks is to ensure they never bite at all with tick preventatives your veterinarian recommends. Please contact your veterinarian to find out the best treatment for your pet! It’ll make them really happy campers for many years to come.
Thanks so much for reading friends! See you next time!!
March 9 is National Meatball Day, and you know someone who would love to celebrate it: your cat! This month, spend a few minutes on this easy chicken meatball recipe and reap your reward in purrs. (P.S. Dogs will happily snack on these, too!) INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup ground chicken
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1/4 cup rice, cooked
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1/2 egg, lightly beaten
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1 tbsp parsley, chopped small
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 420 F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients with a spoon or by hand.
3.
Roll the mixture into balls, roughly 1 tbsp per ball.
4. On a parchment-lined baking tray, bake the meatballs for 15 minutes.
5. Let the meatballs cool and serve them to the fuzzy ruler of the roost!
Inspired by Petsy on YouTube
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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