LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU
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.
MAKING YOUR OWN LUCK
IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
During the month of St. Patrick’s Day, “the luck of the Irish,” or just luck in general, is probably on a lot of people’s minds. When it comes to physical therapy, however, no amount of luck is going to help you recover
many questions as it will take to clarify how certain stretches and exercises will help you recover. Asking questions will help you better understand your recovery and,
therefore, make you more willing to do what it takes to recover, even when it’s uncomfortable.
from your injuries. If you want to heal, you have to make your own luck. That’s not a bad thing, though — it means the power to recover is in your hands! Here’s what it looks like to make your own luck throughout your recovery. KNOW WHY YOU’RE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY. You might want a full range of motion in your shoulders, the pain in your lower back to be gone, or to be able to walk again. Whatever the case, you should have a clear goal in mind. This might seem like a no-brainer, but physical therapy isn’t always easy or comfortable. Keeping the reason why you came to physical therapy at the forefront of your mind will help you power through the difficult days to your goal.
CREATE DAILY EXERCISE HABITS. Habits aren’t formed overnight, but they’re worth creating when it comes to your recovery. If you really want to prioritize and expedite your recovery, doing your daily prescribed exercises on a — you guessed it — daily basis is an absolute must. SHOW UP. The adage, “80% of success is just showing up,” absolutely rings true with physical therapy. That doesn’t mean just
showing up for your appointments, though. It means being present for them mentally. You can’t just expect the PT to do all the work for you. But if you show up willing to put in the effort, you’re well on your way toward recovery.
ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS. Physical therapists are experts on the musculoskeletal system. If you have questions about your recovery, they’ll have answers — you should ask as
If you’re ready to make your own luck when it comes to your recovery, call the PTs at Campus Commons PT at 916-927-1333 to schedule an appointment.
www.campuscommonsphysicaltherapy.com 2
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