Friday With Natasha: Laughter

We are coming to the end of January – always a challenging month, not only is it dark, cold and grey but most of us are still a little bloated and strapped for cash following December. Hang on in there – it is getting a minute or two lighter each day . . .  spring is at the end of the tunnel. One thing we can do to lift our energy is to bring a little more laughter into our day.

We all know good it feels, here are a few reasons why it is actually beneficial for your health:

• Laughter causes you to gulp in large portions of air, thereby oxygenating your blood.
• Laughter decreases stress hormones in the body such as cortisol and adrenaline, which helps to stave off illness.
• Laughter strengthens the immune system.
• When we laugh our bodies release hormones and chemicals that have positive effects on our system. One of these chemicals is endorphins, the feel-good hormone.
• One minute of laughing burns the same number of calories as 6 to 10 minutes on a treadmill.
• Laughing raises your mood; joyfulness through laughter is the fastest way to create a positive state of mind.
• Laughing is good for the heart and improves blood circulation.
• Laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process.
• Laughter creates and strengthens human connections.

These are a few things that make me chuckle . . .

1. When people think they can bust a groove, particularly if they take themselves seriously here.
2. Australian Instagrammer Celeste Barber literally makes me burst out laughing, her parodies are brilliant – follow her on Instagram (check out her December 31st post) or watch some videos here.
3. Baby laughter is contagious, click here.
4. My kids love this one.
5. Ellen DeGeneres always makes me laugh, I enjoyed her recent stand up on Netflix but humour is personal so find the right comedian for you.

Roll on February xx