Laughter is a good medicine
Bienhome Muivah *
There is a proven relationship between our emotions, our bodies, and the positive impact of humor. In one article titled "Laugh your way to good health", the writer Nick Gallo said, "New research shows that humor is a good medicine and can actually help keep you in good health".
Laughter is described as "inner jogging", and underscores its benefit to a person's cardiovascular system. People being manipulated by fear find that they seldom laugh.
Comparing laughter to exercise, Gallo points out that when a person laughs heartily, several physical benefits occur; a temporary lowering of blood pressure; a decreased rate of breathing; and a reduction in muscle tension.
He reports that many people sense a "relaxed afterglow". It is concluded that, "An enduring sense of humor, especially combined with other inner resources such as faith and optimism, appears to be a potent force for better health".
We are also freshly reminded of a precept written thousands of years ago. King Solomon, to whom God imparted great wisdom said, "A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).
He also told us to replace our fear of circumstances with a reverential fear (awe) of the Lord, to quit leaning on our own understanding of the situation. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones (Proverbs 3:8).
Solomon also wrote, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14:30).Current research and our own observations concur with Solomon's wise observations. Don't you love to be around people who have a sense of humor and love to laugh?
It is so important to be able to find ways to enjoy a laugh and see the humor of life. It is health producing and contagious. As another health-expert reminds us, "Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects" or as Dr. Charles Swindell suggests, "Maybe it's time to laugh again".
We have the greatest reason to be joyful because our faith is firmly planted in God, and our optimism is based on the assurance that we are under His wise control. So, don't be afraid to enjoy a hearty laugh-it's a good medicine.
Thanks be to God for His faithful instruction and encouragement regarding the relationship between our minds, emotions and body.
What great love. His admonitions to renew our minds and develop the fruit of the spirit were meant not only for our spiritual maturity, but our overall personal joy and physical health, Praise God!
Biblical attitudes that are health-producing and contagious are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Choose just one of these qualities and determine a specific way that you are going to begin developing it in your life today. Tomorrow, choose one more.
At the end of each day try to recall how you displayed that particular spiritual trait. Before long you will have emptied the fruit basket and discover a more fulfilling lifestyle. Why now start right now.
Be Blessed!
* Bienhome Muivah wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao
This article was posted on November 09, 2015.
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