Lessons Learned on the Journey
By: Bob Snyder MD

August 7, 2008

Desperately Needed - Laughter

Recent travels have placed me in the presence of friends full of laughter. As a result, my spirit became light, my body - energized, and my heart - hope-filled. My journey became light in their midst.

The impact of humor and laughter grabbed me when Norman Cousins, former editor of Saturday Review, published Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by a Patient. He chronicled his recovery from an incurable illness through the intentional use of laughter. Amazing? Maybe not!

The benefits of laughter are listed in Simple Health: Easy and Inexpensive Things You Can Do to Improve Your Health by David Beibel and Harold Koenig. They include the following:

PHYSICAL:
Laughter results in muscle relaxation, activation of the immune system, pain reduction, lowered blood pressure and cardiorespiratory exercise - to name a few


PYSCHOLOGICAL:
Laughter lowers stress; dissolves anger, frustration and sadness; aids in relaxation

SOCIOLOGICAL:
Laughter builds trust; unites families; enhances relationships

No matter our circumstances, the Joy of the Lord can be ours and can be expressed not only in prayer and worship but also laughter.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. (Proverbs 17:22 KJV)

Join me in a belly laugh this week?

Sharing the journey with you, Bob Snyder

Click for Web-Version: http://www.pursuantgroup.com/ihs/0808_1.htm