When thinking about the best way to help others live heart healthier, we thought it best to take a positive approach to the issue rather than focus on the negative. We all know that diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight are all practices that help to maintain a healthy heart.
A simple Google search will reveal numerous articles and studies showing the negative effects of depression, anxiety, stress and anger on heart health. We’d like to change things up a bit and talk about how positive emotions can have a positive effect on heart health. Recall the old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.”
A Maryland School of Medicine study showed that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. The study determined that laughter causes the expansion of the tissue that make up blood vessels. This valuable tissue (endothelium) is responsible for monitoring blood flow and the secretion of substances that help combat infection. This healthy tissue reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
Laughter also has been shown to help reduce stress hormones in the body. The reduction of stress hormones helps to reduce blood pressure, which in turn helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Do you see where this is going?
It is important to eat nutrient rich food to help fuel our bodies. Exercise is important to maintain healthy bones and muscle mass. Both of these healthy activities are tried and true methods of maintaining a healthy body weight and helping to keep our hearts beating strong and long.
Now we’d like you to add laughter to your daily regimen. Find something each day that makes you smile and enjoy laughter with friends and loved ones. Watch a funny TV show, read a funny book. Talk to a friend or loved one and enjoy a good laugh. Make it a practice to laugh every day and live heart healthier!
Health and Healing the Simple Way!
References:
www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/laughter-is-good-for-the-heart/