laughter is
the best medicine
from: Healthiest
State initiative
subject: laughter
as an essential tool to good health
date: 3/12/12
When something tickles its funny bone.
You laughed, didnÕt
you? Congrats, you just gave
yourself a dose of good health. YouÕve
heard it countless times, laughter is the best
medicine. Turns out, it is
an excellent tool in building overall health. ThatÕs why the Healthiest State
Initiative is promoting the benefits of laughter this spring as we spotlight
the importance of emotional fitness in overall health.
Laughter
– reduces stress and boosts your health
According to the Mayo Clinic, a good laugh produces stress-reducing hormones and increases endorphins
released by your brain. A good belly laugh engages nearly every muscle in your
body, expands your lungs, stimulates your brain, and gets your heart pumping. Studies
show laughter reduces pain, improves sleep, lowers
blood pressure, improves learning, relieves stress, and
is overwhelmingly contagious.
Build
emotional health
Join us in an effort to shine a spotlight on improving our
emotional health and relieving stress through laughter. The campaign kicks off
April 2, 2012, as Iowa celebrates its first Laugh Out Loud day. Find links on our website to a number of stress management resources, including tips on
managing the pressure of finals.
Share
a laugh
Simple ideas on how to spread laughter and improve health in
your school:
Promote Laugh Out Loud
day on April 2, 2012 (flyer on our website).
In the weeks before
school ends, give speech and drama students an assignment that incorporates
humor.
Have a contest to see
who gets class to laugh the hardest.
Have
students produce their own version of SNL or the Daily Show.
We invite you to spend a minute
tickling your funny bone as together we build a healthier Iowa. Share the humor. Post
your funny photos or videos on our Facebook page.