CELEBRATE GLOBAL BELLY LAUGH DAY!
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
What is the value of a good laugh? It may be as precious as your health.
lungs with gentle movements, all while deliberately laughing without any specific reason. As one practitioner said, “The body doesn’t know that we’re faking it.” It is possible to infuse humor into your life through conscious effort. Listen to funny podcasts and watch comedic movies. Decorate your space with humorous posters, enjoy silly videos or memes, and spend time with friends who have a good sense of humor. A hearty belly laugh has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream by more than 30%, according to a 2024 review of eight studies in PLOS One. Laughter therapy also eases the negative emotions experienced by cancer patients, including depression, anxiety, stress, pain, and fatigue, according to a 2023 study in the journal Oncology. Additionally, interventions that encourage laughter in patients with limited mobility have led to significant improvements in their mood. If you have a practical joke, a family story, a favorite movie, or a comedy special that is guaranteed to draw a chuckle, Jan. 24 is a good time to haul it out. After all, a good laugh might just become a habit!
In recognition of Jan. 24 as Global Belly Laugh Day, this is a good time to reflect on the mental, physical, and social benefits of laughter.
Laughter can stimulate your organs, relieve stress, and ease tension, according to the Mayo Clinic. For older adults, it boosts the oxygen levels in the blood, releases endorphins, and activates T-cells, thereby strengthening the immune system, as highlighted in the Atlantic Health System seminar titled Chuckles, Chortles, and Giggles: The Benefits of Laugher for Seniors. Laughter can even help with weight loss by increasing calorie consumption by 10%–20%. An intrinsic benefit of laughter is its social nature. Laughing alone can be enjoyable, but laughing with others and sharing jokes can strengthen social ties, easing the sense of isolation that affects so many older adults. Global Belly Laugh Day originated in 2005 at the urging of a laughter yoga therapist. This practice is rooted in research showing that a sense of humor helps relieve stress and fosters joy and hope. Laughter yoga, or hasyayoga , combines breathing exercises to prepare the diaphragm and
VEGAN TACO BOWL WITH TOFU CRUMBLES
Inspired by BowlsAreTheNewPlates.com
INGREDIENTS
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2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp black pepper
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2 tbsp adobo sauce 16 oz extra firm tofu
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced yellow onion 2 cups cooked quinoa 1/2 cup salsa of choice
1 tsp dried oregano or epazote
1/2 tsp salt
2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, chopped
DIRECTIONS
SOLUTION ON PAGE 2
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic, cumin, black pepper, oregano, salt, chipotle chilies, and adobo sauce. 2. Drain the block of tofu and gently squeeze out the extra liquid using paper towels. Then, crumble tofu using your hands, add to mixing bowl, and toss to coat with spices. 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes. 4. Add tofu crumbles and cook for 6 minutes. Add salsa and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Fill serving bowls with quinoa. Layer tofu taco meat over the quinoa, then top with extra salsa and other garnishes like lime juice, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, and sliced radishes.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WELL-DRESSED MAN ON A UNICYCLE AND A POORLY-DRESSED MAN ON A BICYCLE?
ATTIRE
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