7 Health Benefits Of Laughing!

HAPPY Fridayyyyy :D 
How are you doing?! Did you CRUSH your workouts this week?! Did you get in some clean meals?! Are you ready for the weekend?! I'm ready...BRING Saturday AND Sunday ON :D Remember, it's Friday so at the bottom of this post is another recipe. I'll be posting 1 juice, smoothie, OR quencher recipe EVERY Friday for a year! WOOO WHOOO!!

Today's post is on LAUGHING :D Family and friends who know me notice that I laugh a lot! Not only do I laugh a lot, I tend to laugh out LOUD!! My kids are constantly telling me not to laugh so much, but my reply is...deal with it...lol! 1 of the best feelings in the world is laughing :D Laughing can bring people together and I've established amazing connections with some great people!!
Laughing has health benefits too! YES...laughing is HEALTHY!! The following are 7 health benefits of laughing. Dr.Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at the Loma Linda University in California have researched the benefits and found fabulous results. KEEP READING and get ready to get your giggle on :D 

1. LAUGHING LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
People who lower their blood pressure, even those who start at normal levels, will reduce their risk of strokes and heart attacks. So grab the weekend paper, flip to the funny pages and enjoy your laughter medicine. 

2. REDUCES STRESS HORMONE LEVELS 
You benefit from reducing the level of stress hormones your body produces because hormone-level reduction simultaneously cuts the anxiety and stress impacting your body. Additionally, the reduction of stress hormones in your body may result in higher immune system performance. Just think: Laughing along as a co-worker tells a funny joke can relieve some of the day's stress and help you reap the health benefits of laughter. 

3. FUN AB WORKOUT 
1 of the benefits of laughter is that it can help you tone your abs. When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs. Meanwhile, the muscles you're not using to laugh are getting an opportunity to relax. Add laughter to your ab routine and make getting a toned tummy more enjoyable. 

4. IMPROVES CARDIAC HEALTH 
Laughter is a great cardio workout, especially for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness. It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health :D 

5. BOOSTS T CELLS
T cells are specialized immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation. When you laugh, you activate T cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness. Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan.

6. TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF ENDORPHINS
Endorphins are the body's natural pain killers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.

7. PRODUCES A GENERAL SENSE OF WELL-BEING
Laughter can increase your overall sense of well-being. Doctors have found that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative. So smile, laugh, and live longer!

KEEP SCROLLING and get Friday's recipe! It's another SMOOTHIE and the cranberries balance well with the sweet ingredients :D

PINEBERRY SMOOTHIE

1/2 pineapple
1 handful of cranberries
1 handful of strawberries
8 Tbsp (120 ml) pineapple juice

- This recipe makes 2 portions.
- For a more refreshing smoothie, blend some crushed ice cubes in with the other ingredients.
- This smoothie is GREAT for energy AND immunity. It's also GOOD for skin.

Nutrients: Beta-carotene, biotin, folic acid, vitamin C; calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur.

Have an AWESOME weekend!
SEE YOU right back here on Monday!!