Laughter is Good Medicine
Laugh more. That’s the advice of Michelle Katzaroff, D.O., an internal medicine physician at the NorthBay Center for Primary Care in Vacaville.
“Laughter is good medicine,” she says. “It helps reduce stress, improves your mood and releases health-enhancing hormones like endorphins into your blood stream.”
The physical benefits of laughter include everything from exercising your heart and diaphragm to building your immune system.
“Laughter is contagious and connects you to other people,” says Dr. Katzaroff, who also has a degree in psychology. “Your sense of humor can lift the mood around you and improve the quality of your social life.”
Tips to Get More Laughter in Your Life
- View a good comedy on TV or DVD.
- Visit a comedy club.
- Invite friends over to play games.
- Wear a smile. It puts you closer to laughing.
- Do at least one silly thing a day.
- Be amused with your own sense of humor.
- Laugh with others when they laugh.
- Wear hats that make you laugh.
- Cultivate your innate playfulness.
- Look for humor around you at work.