Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Laugh to Reduce Stress

Researchers at California's Loma Linda University recently found that even anticipating laughter lowers the levels of three stress hormones: cortisol, adrenaline and dopac. Anticipating laughter also boosts endorphins and human growth hormone, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. So laughter both elevates hormones that keep us happy and healthy and lowers the stress hormones that contribute to inflammation and chronic illness. So just as the old adage says, "laughter is the best medicine."