Laughter every day keeps the doctor away

 

Yesterday I spontaneous said, "laughter for happiness is like flour for bread."

Get it? You can't have happiness without laughter, you can't have bread without flour.

Whether it's gluten-free, spelt, whole wheat, unbleached, white or rye, you can't really make bread without flour. It's not the only ingredient, but it is the most essential.

As many of you already know, laughter and health are as intrinsically linked as laughter and happiness, but now we have medical proof.

Several studies done by The University of Maryland Medical Center found that people who'd suffered from heart attacks tended to laugh less at life than people who did not suffer from heart attacks.

The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease. University of Maryland - Laughter is "Best Medicine" for Your Heart

 Also, laughter contributes to increased blood flow and healthier blood vessels:

Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow. University of Maryland - Laughter helps blood vessels function better

Here's a video that sites the University of Maryland studies:

Obviously having a healthy heart, blood and blood vessels are essential for overall health, but have you ever talked to someone on heart medication or blood thinners? It does not sound like fun. So along with your healthy diet, make a point to laugh at least once per day. Laughter lowers stress. According to another study used funny movies as the trigger to see how it affected their subjects. Check it out:

Arterial compliance was improved for a full 24 hours after subjects watched a funny movie," said lead researcher Jun Sugawara. "Laughing is likely not the complete solution to a healthy heart, but it appears to contribute to positive effects. Medical News Today: Laugh A Little To Help Protect Heart, Lower Blood Pressure

So if nothing in your life is striking you as particularly funny, you can help the process along through television and movies.

My personal favorites, most of which are available on DVD, netflix or reruns if you have DVR.

Television:

• Chappelle's Show and Dave Chappelle in general. The great thing about The Chappelle Show is that I can watch different episodes and skits over and over and still laugh even when I know most of the lines. Genius!
• 30 Rock. I hate to overuse the word genius, but really...this show deserves it. Genius!
• Arrested Development. If the family's dysfunction doesn't bother you too much, this show is brilliantly written, acted, directed and edited.
• Better Off Ted. This is a relatively young show, being that it's only on the second season, but I laugh during every episode without fail. My favorite part is the "Veridian Dynamics" fake commercials. Hilarious!
• The Simpsons. Good today, yesterday and tomorrow. Thanks, Simpsons, for being so reliably funny and smart.
• Family Guy. Another solid animated show that always delivers. It is sometimes a little more déclassé than Simpsons, but I kinda like that.
• South Park. This show goes where The Simpsons and Family Guy would only tread in the darkest of their dreams or deepest levels of their basements. As far as I'm concerned, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have serious cajónes.
• My Name is Earl. I was a bit surprised that I like this show so much. But it's clever and I like the karma aspect. I just started watching it on netflix and appreciate that the episodes are commercial free (on netflix), about 21 minutes - so I can get a quick laugh fix in when I really need it.
• I Love Lucy. Another one that's good today, yesterday and tomorrow. The on-camera chemistry between characters Lucy and Ricky is unparalleled in television. Also, Lucille Ball is one of the best physical comedians of all time. All time!
• Seinfeld. There's a reason this show is still rerunning all over the place. "Festivus for the rest of us!"
• Curb Your Enthusiasm. Warning! This show makes awkward and super-dry humor funny. Not for everyone, but those who it is for, love it.
• The Office. Another awkward show. Ricky Gervais' performance is incredible. The man never breaks character. His stand-up is pretty great too.

For those of you into the old school comedies, try:

• I Love Lucy. (see above)
• Married With Children
• The Golden Girls
• Night Court
• Taxi
• Family Ties (How can liberal parents have a rebellious child? Easy. Give them a super-conservative son in the form of Alex P. Keaton. Nice move.)
• The Carol Burnett Show Another brilliant cast. Love the way they interact and crack each other up. Also, Carol's Q&A with the audience is priceless!
• The Honeymooners. While this isn't one of my absolute favorites, it is a nice, simple, classic comedy show with very cute and earnest players.
• Cheers! From coach, to Sam, Woody and Norm. Great characters, great dialogue, great show.

That's enough for now. Write in the comments your favorite comedy-outlets, entertainment or otherwise and maybe I'll do a second Laughter blog.

One last note. Marcus and I crack each other up at least once a day - it's my personal conviction that your significant other should be a source and sounding board for your laughter; at the very least you two should be able to laugh together at comedies or comedians - or for those rare couples who have very divergent humors, maybe you just support each other seeking comedy relief via your personal flavor of humor.


A video for your viewing pleasure: The Landlord from Funny or Die. "I need to get my drink on."

The Landlord from Will Ferrell

 

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