Laughter Keeps You Healthy — No, Really!
April is National Humor Month, so we thought we’d share a fact that you probably already know instinctively: Laughter is not only healthy for your soul, but for your body. Research agrees, too. In 2011, a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2011 Congress found that the vasodilative effect (aka, the positive stimulus to your heart, lungs, and muscles) lasted up to an hour after watching a comedic movie scene. Laughter not only increases the endorphins that are released by your brain but enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air. You could say it achieves this by quickly activating and deactivating your stress response. A rollicking laugh can fire up and cool down your stress response, which can result in that good, relaxed feeling. The stimulated circulation helps aid muscle relaxation and resolves tension in your body, which can be an excellent treatment for stress.
Research shows it can improve your immune system. Negative thoughts spur chemical reactions that affect your body — when you’re stressed, so are your internal systems, decreasing your immunity. Positive thoughts, however, release neuropeptides that fight stress and potentially serious illnesses. Laughter also relieves pain, emotionally and physically! A study in Hong Kong invited an experimental group of older folks in a nursing home to join an eight-week humor therapy program, while a control group in another home maintained their regular lives. Upon completing humor therapy, the experimental group experienced a significant decrease in pain and perceptions of loneliness. There were also significant increases in happiness and life satisfaction. This has made many more health care professionals consider incorporating humor into caring for their patients. So don’t be afraid to self-prescribe a streaming stand-up special or your favorite YouTube comedian. A daily dose of humor will keep you healthy!
But those are the short-term benefits. Studies show that there are also long-term benefits to a lifetime of spontaneous laughter!
TAKE A BREAK
SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.
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