Defrazzle with a Hearty Guffaw

"The best blush to use is laughter: It put roses in your cheeks and in your soul."

Linda Knight

We all know the old adage that "Laugher is the best medicine" - but what does that mean, actually?

Well, research has shown that laughing can help in:

* Lowering blood pressure

* Reducing stress hormones

* Increasing muscle flexibility

* Boosting immune function

* Triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers

* Producing a general sense of well-being.

The most famous case of laughing away illness is that of Norman Cousins who took that quote literally and set out to heal himself of a serious chronic disease by laughing at favourite comedy shows. He stated that ten minutes of laughing gave him two hours of drug-free pain relief.

In fact the positive effects of laughter have been recognized to the point that now there are certified laughter coaches (my favourite laughter coach website is: www.laughtercoach.com Just going there will make you smile!)

Cheryl Oberg of the Canadian Association for Therapeutic Humour states that children naturally laugh over 300 times a day, but as adults we only laugh about eight times a day. We need to raise the bar a little here!

So, what's a good way to start laughing? Watch small children and listen to their conversations; watch a funny movie with friends (go for some good old fashioned Charlie Chaplin, "I Love Lucy" or Laurel and Hardy); simply keep your eyes and ears tuned for funny events.

If you need more serious help, you can even take a course on laughter at: www.higher-self-studies.com.

I haven't taken that course but if you do, let me know how if it was good!

Darlene Hull, www.mom-defrazzler.com

*****************************************************************

Publishing and Re-Print Guidelines

* The article text, resource box, URLs and copyright information must be left intact and unchanged

* When re-published online, all links must be live hyperlinks.

* These articles may not be distributed in any manner that does not comply with federal communication guidelines.

* These articles must not be password protected or limited to membership or paid-only viewing. These articles must remain free.

*****************************************************************

Darlene Hull is a local, ordinary, imperfect mom who sees her mission as helping moms look after themselves so that they can better look after their families. Darlene is married to Tom and has two children ? Simon (12) and Christina (10.5) whom she home schools. You can find out more about her on her website at http://www.mom-defrazzler.com and even download a free "Mom-Defrazzler" while you're there.

---

Growing Good People

At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More

Mutants or Clones?

In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More

How To Teach Your Children Love

I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More

Healthy Eating For Children: Six Simple Rules

Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More

Plane Trip with Kids

Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More

The Different Types, or Styles, of ADHD

Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More

Parents --- Your Childrens Report Card May Be Rigged

Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More

Social Engineering via Robotic Toddlers

Is there a way to build a robot to help... Read More

Patterns For Plus Size Children

Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing... Read More

What Makes a Good Evaluation for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More

Gifted Children - Getting the Balance Right

One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More

3 Rules to Making TeensTechnology Work For You

Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed... Read More

15 Ways to Help Kids Like Themselves

1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 8 Things You Need to Be Doing

Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More

Intro to Medications for ADD ADHD

The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More

ADHD: A Dialogue With a Non-Believer, Part Five

Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More

Getting through the School Daze

It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More

Raising A High Maintenance Child

Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More

How To Develop Your Babys Brain

Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More

Moms - Get More Energy Now

Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More

Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?

Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More

Stress is No Kiddy Matter

Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More

Film Industry and Our Youth

In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More

Diagnosing ADHD in Your Child, an Introduction

Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More

Exposing the Damage: TV and Kids

There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More

The Scientific Breakthrough That Allows Every Couple To Choose The Gender Of Their Baby

The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More

Parenting Skills - Five Ways To Turbo-Boost Your Confidence

The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More

Girls Gone Mild

Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More

Teaching Problem Solving Skills to Children with ADHD

Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More

Elephants and Teenagers

Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More

5 Great Tips For Choosing Safe Toys For Your Children

Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More

Water! Water Everywhere!

What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More

Hearing Our Seriously Distressed Children

How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More