Laughing. With kids.

The topic of health is everywhere.  Diet trends are dictating our relationship with food.  Miracle super foods seem to hold the key to the fountain of youth. Top of the line health products are promising beauty and longevity, amongst other wonders.  Experts are encouraging us to make better food choices to ensure our health.  Contemplative practices such as, meditation, yoga and tai chi are all great ways to focus on breath, energy and balance. Our choices and options are endless, and ancient practices are being revisited and incorporated into our daily living now more than ever.

 

There is an ancient medicine that seems to have lost its way into the health and healing paradigm. It has an array of benefits and it will cost you absolutely…nothing. In fact, it may even save you money in the process and change your brain chemistry for the better.

 

If you have ever noticed a child while they are in the act of play or even being reprimanded for that matter, you know exactly what I am alluding to. The beauty of it is that children do not deny themselves this innate pleasure- even at times when they try to resist it.  When the adult world dictates that the timing of it, it is all-wrong. Yet children are all-right… and can’t seem to hold back, not the tears, but their joyous laughter.

 

The giggle, the roll, the chuckle, chortle, crack up, hoot and holler, by any other name is just what the healer ordered. It has a tendency to make the authority in charge go absolutely crazy, but as parents we know how hard it is to fight the contagious spirit of laughter. As much as we try to camouflage or contain it, our trembling mouth begging to part and release the melodious vibration of a laugh gives us away. So why not indulge it in more often?

 

There is an innate mysteriousness about it; this thing called laughter that happens rather automatically and unconsciously. There is a biochemical impact that happens when we allow ourselves to freely laugh. Some of which are brain-altering, like the release of feel-good endorphins.  Just what we need more of, and here’s why:

 

Laughter reduces stress
Laughter moves lymph and oxygenates your organs
Laughter boosts your immune system
Laughter relieves pain
Laughter relieves depression
Laughter protects your heart
Laughter improves breathing
Laughter helps you lose weight
Laughter lowers blood pressure

 

The ideas expressed in this article are not approved by the FDA and should not replace medical advice.  BUT you can try it out for free with no side effects. Play with your children, watch a comedy, tell a joke, find a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, or join a meet-up designed to get your laugh on at:

 

http://www.laughyourselfphilly.com

 

http://www.laughter-yoga.meet.up.co/cities/us/pa/Philadelphia

 

http://www.laughterforhealth.com

 

Northwest Philly Parents is a partnership between Germantown Avenue Parents and Newsworks.