Laugh Your Way to Health & Happiness

We have a Laughing Yoga chapter in my town. I've decided to check it out this weekend. - 7/18/2011 9:41:52 AM

Recently I attended an Occupational Health and Safety workshop that included a "Laughter Yoga" session. I didn't know what to expect, and at first it seemed a bit forced as we were supposed to make "smiley" faces and "fake laugh", but everybody looked so goofy doing these things that it wasn't long before we were killing ourselves with real laughter. It was a great invigorating workshop. I took it right after lunch when I'm normally fighting off sleepiness - no problem with that! - 11/2/2010 7:58:39 AM

My gym instructor likes to make us laugh during our training and often demands that we smile! She leads by example and we all have a great time. Makes me want to go back for more and it is such a mood enhancer.... - 11/2/2010 5:58:37 AM

One of the blessings of netflicks and the $5 bin at your local store is that so many old comedies are on DVD and can be watched for very little money. I also find VHS movies at thrift stores. I recently bought four Muppet movies for 50 cents each. My favorite comedy teams are Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and Don Knotts and Tim Conway. Anything I have seen with these guys is hilarious. Even my grandkids enjoy them. On a more mature level, There is "Support Your Local Sheriff" , "Grumpy Old Men", and "Wild Hogs". Most every comedy from before 1960 is clean, nonviolent, and funny. That's why they are so popular.

- 11/1/2010 12:17:07 PM

I whole heartedly believe in all this laughter talk! I don't watch many movies because I don't like the violence and high drama. I wish someone would suggest some really funny movies.....I wouldn't know where to begin to pick one. - 11/1/2010 8:12:36 AM

I agree with this,laughter is good for you. I try to daily laugh. Sometimes commercials are funny ,and I look for comedy shows to watch. - 3/27/2010 2:52:45 PM

My favorite way to pass the time on the elliptical is watching I Love Lucy DVDs. I puff and laugh at the same time - double benefit!! - 2/5/2010 8:38:23 AM

no argument from me. I completely believe in laughter. could always use more
- 10/24/2009 12:00:26 PM

Quick--tell me a joke! I gotta burn some more calories! - 9/23/2009 12:47:47 PM

If that's the case I should have a very healthy heart. I laughed all the time. - 8/11/2009 1:38:06 PM

Laughter is an inexpensive medicine! - 4/21/2009 9:57:28 AM

Ever hear of "Laughter Yoga"? No mat required!
There's quite a bit of research done on the benefits of laughing out loud (check out http://www.pubmed
central.nih.g
ov/). Laughing seems to be good for your immune and cardiovascular systems, can help alleviate depression, and even counts for aerobic exercise. You don't even have to feel amused-just laugh anyway! Who knew something fun could be so good for you? - 4/1/2009 6:03:01 PM

I agreee 100%!
I think laughter is a wonderful thing, it gives the body a great feeling and is so positive.
Weekly I try to share something funny with my team.
It makes me feel good when I've added a little humor to someone's day.
:o) - 11/7/2008 10:38:10 PM

I agree you can't substitute "I Love Lucy" for your exercise, but my secret is combine them! Find some great comedy movies or better TV shows (because they each last the same amount of time) and set it up so you can watch while you exercise. My hubby got me a used elliptical and someone gave us a rowing machine and a few dumbbells. We bought a cheap, used TV and CD player and now my garage is a gym/entertainment center. It doesn't have to be expensive. Our local library has lots of TV shows and movies on DVD. You can literally laugh the fat away! - 4/29/2008 3:34:38 PM

I definitely agree that laughing helps your mood and your health... The best gut-busting laughing I ever do is when I'm with my friends and my husband and its late and we just tell stories and make new ones! I always end up in laughter at some point.
If that doesn't do it for me, watching Home Improvement re-runs or Tim Allens Stand-Up DVD always does it for me!
I definitely recommend to stay away from depressing melodramatic movies, and also horror flicks...they always depress me. To each their own...but take for instance when I watched "Premonition" with Sandra Bullock I felt depressed afterwards, it had absolutely no comic relief what so ever and ended depressing. I really felt depressed afterwards. It was a great movie though...And also "Million Dollar Baby", that one was a great movie but when I left the theater I was so down it wasn't even funny. I felt sluggish and timid...Just some food for thought. If you like those kind of movies (which are ok now and then) try to follow that movie with a stand-up or a comedy. - 3/28/2008 3:26:48 AM