Toddlers lives on average longer that adults; and I’m not trying to be funny.

The funny thing about life expectancy is that different people look at it differently. Doctors, financial planners, health experts, insurance companies and so on are very interested in how long you live. But comedians, clowns and other entertainers also gets on the bandwagon these days. Is this a joke, or what?

A Japanese scientist who studies genes, partnered up with stand up comedians in a study about laughter and genes. His theory is that we have the ability to switch our DNA on and off with the help of emotions, such as laughter. With better working DNA, we’re in a better position to cure diseases from within. Or this is the theory of Kazuo Murakami.1

To be seriously honest, I have no reason to doubt his theory. That is because other studies already showed the health benefits of laughter. It reduces blood pressure, increases natural killer cell activity (a brilliant function of the immune system), reduces stress, tone muscles, improve breathing capacity2 and cure depresion3 to name a few benefits.

The practical facts about this great tool to live a healthy life, is quite shocking. This is a brilliant tool to increase our wellness, but we use it so little. According to dr. William Fry, Stanford University; six year olds laugh about 300 times per day, while adults laugh from 15 to 100 times per day.4 (As it always goes in the world of research, other studies contradict this statement.5)

How could you increase the amount of times you laugh? How could you use this effective and free tool to increase your health?
• Go to live comedy shows often.
• Subscribe to a free daily jokes or cartoon newsletter (there are plenty).
• Search YouTube for funny videos. (I’m doing it almost daily now.)
• Rent comedy films often.
• Spend more time talking to other people.6
• Get your boss to book a Laughter Coaching session at work, or just for yourself7.

Immanuel Kant once said: “It is not God’s will merely that we should be happy, but we should make ourselves happy.”

Even in ancient literature, laughter is described as medicine. “If you are cheerful, you feel good; if you are sad, you hurt all over.” Or another translation of the same Hebrew text says: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)8

Something I’d like to improve in these newsletters is humour. But while I’m polishing my funny bones, rather use the people who are already experts at making you laugh.

It’s easy to laugh, it’s (mostly) free and it’s better shared. Do it, it’s not rocket science.


If you want to feel good all over, book for the wellness seminar at www.health2u.co.za. There you’ll find a blueprint for your personal health, which includes ways to maintain a healthy mindset.

References:
1. http://www.joyofkidding.com/laughterclub/HealthWrArticles.html#bestmed 
2. Discovery magazine, Winter 2009, Issue 36, pg 16
3. Anthony Robbins, Get The Edge, 2000. (CD program)
4. http://www.ef-etudes.fr/Members/Stanford/rdv.html 
5,6. http://www.aath.org/articles/art_martin.html 
7. www.laughtercoaching.co.za 
8. The New Living Translation, New International Version