SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder Sun Therapy

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression linked to lack of sunlight. Onset of symptoms occurs annually during winter months with more cases occurring in areas with longer and more severe winters.
Symptoms include low mood, feeling abnormally sad and weepy, hopeless, worthless and guilty, often with a preoccupation of death and dying. Concentration is poor and motivation is low with agitation, irritability, and restlessness. Sleep is difficult with delayed onset, early waking, and/or sleeping too much. Weight loss or weight gain is common. Physical symptoms are also prevalent and include headaches, generalized aches, pains, and lethargy. All symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Light therapy, UVB light, has been used successfully to reverse or diminish symptoms of SAD and to increase vitamin D levels. (Remember vitamin D is actually a hormone produced by the body after exposure to the sun).
Light therapy can be provided through artificial light—light boxes—or by the sun itself. Weather and work permitting, an hour or two in the winter sun, even on an overcast day, can produce benefits.
If you suffer from annual winter blues or from full-blown SAD, consider a move closer to the equator.
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Friday, March 26, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
sites
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29. http://www.moonslipper.com/howtobalanceandhealyourchakras.html
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31. http://www.realcountrylife.com/cures.html
32. http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/06/02/how-to-make-a-natural-first-aid-kit/
33. http://wholelifeessentials.com/
34. http://reiki.7gen.com/handpos.htm
35. http://naturalcurereviews.com/
36. http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/herb.html
37. http://www.complete-herbal.com/
38. http://www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt
39. http://www.naturalelixir.com/frnt_herbs.html
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41. http://www.forgottenmedicalcures.com/
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43. http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_info/history.html
44. http://www.reiki-for-holistic-health.com/reiki-healing-with-crystals.html
45. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/womens_health/83603/1
46. http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/everyday_food.htm
47. http://www.eclecticenergies.com/acupressure/indexemotional.php
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51. http://www.holistichearthealth.com/interaction.asp
52. http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185
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55. http://www.herbmed.org/top20.asp
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59. http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm
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Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Sunday, March 14, 2010 1 comments Links to this post
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Monday, March 1, 2010
Cinnamon
Cinnamon cinnamomum cassia
(Laurel Family)


A powerful digestive aid. Useful to stop uterine bleeding and to prevent heart attack. Also used for fibroids, indigestion, liver cancer, peptic ulcer and yeast infections.


The bark is used medicinally as an oil or tea.


Cassia or Chinese cinnamon comes from Burma, while true cinnamon is a native of Ceylon. Cassia is more pungent, while true cinnamon is more light and delicate; it's also more expensive than cassia. Cassia nips the tongue and is more suited to spiced meats, pilaus (rice or cracked wheat with boiled meat and spices) and curries, while true cinnamon is more desirable in sweet dishes, pastries, breads, and cakes. Cinnamon was included as a major ingredient in a "holy anointing oil" that Moses used.

In place of Listerine you can try another antiseptic mouthwash that really does "kill germs on contact." Half a teaspoonful of tincture of cinnamon added to half a tumbler of warm water makes an excellent mouthwash when the breath is unpleasant and the teeth decayed.

To make a tincture, combine 10-1/2 tbsp. powdered cinnamon in 1-1/4 cups of vodka. Add enough water to make a 50% alcohol solution. Put in a bottle and let set somewhere for two weeks, shaking once in the morning and again in the evening. Then strain and, pour the liquid into a bottle suitable for storage. This tincture will last a long time. One of the most delicious, if not helpful, remedies for acid indigestion, heartburn and cramps is to sprinkle a little cinnamon and cardamom on hot, buttered raisin toast and slowly eat, chewing thoroughly before swallowing.

To make an effective French folk remedy for colds and flues, combine 2 cups of water, a small stick of cinnamon and a few cloves together in a saucepan and bring to a slow boil for about 3 minutes. Remove and add 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1-1/2 tbsp. dark honey or blackstrap molasses, and 2 tbsp. good quality whiskey. Stir well, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes or so.

Drink 1/2 cup at a time every 3-4 hours. It's pleasant tasting and really breaks up the fever and congestion accompanying either the common cold or influenza.

An incredible experiment in the journal of Food Science for 1974 demonstrates the power of cinnamon over most yeasts and fungi. Slices of white, raisin, rye and whole wheat breads, manufactured without the usual mold inhibitors, were subjected to various aflatoxins, a group of toxic molds so dangerous that they can cause liver cancer and kill humans and animals alike. These toxins often occur in food.

The toxic molds grew like crazy on all of the other breads, except for the raisin bread where growth was described as being "scant or not visible at all." In trying to identify whether it was the raisins or cinnamon responsible for this, food scientists discovered that as little as 2% or 20 mg. of the spice per milliliter of a yeast -extract and sucrose broth inhibited 97 -99 per cent of these molds.

Cinnamon - delicious aromatic spice is a wonderfully warming and strengthening remedy to dispel cold, winter chills and a variety of conditions associated with cold, congestion and deficiency of vital energy. Cinnamon acts as a tonic to the whole system. A hot drink of cinnamon will stimulate circulation and cause sweating, preventing and resolving flu, colds, catarrh and other infections. Cinnamon helps to reduce fevers. Oil of cinnamon can be inhaled for head colds and chest infections. Its general warming and stimulating properties can give direction in the body by other remedies -such as thyme for bronchial congestion and infections, or blue cohosh as a uterine remedy to treat irregular and painful periods, heavy bleeding, uterine infections and vaginal discharge.

Cinnamon acts as a relaxant, reducing anxiety and stress, relieving cramp and colic. Eugenol in the volatile oil relieves pain, for example when used as a liniment for arthritis, to deaden the nerve in toothache and for such conditions as headaches, muscle pain and neuralgia.

Cinnamon warms and stimulates the digestive system, useful in weak digestion, colic, griping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, wind and distension. The tannins have an astringent action, stemming bleeding in nosebleeds, heavy periods and resolving diarrhea and catarrhal congestion. When taken cold, cinnamon has been used to stop sweating.



Read more: Herbal Remedies ~ Cinnamon
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Monday, March 01, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
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Saturday, February 27, 2010
Your Brain
100 Ways You Can Tap Into More of Your Brain
Posted by Site Administrator in Features on 08 26th, 2009 | no responses
We’d all like to be more creative, insightful, sensitive and productive, but with all the chaos and stress in our lives, it’s tough to tune out the noise and meet our full potential. But with the right balance of meditation, exercise, diet and recreation, we can discover easy ways to tap into more of our brains. Keep reading for 100 more hacks.

Environmental

Tune into the world around you by using all of your senses, becoming a better listener and getting outside.

1.Listen: Becoming a better listener tunes your brain into all the little subtleties that define someone’s personality, a problem, and an experience. You’ll become more aware of your surroundings and natural trends, too.
2.Slow down: To prevent burn out, take a few minutes or a few days to slow down and relax your mind.
3.Guided visualization: This meditative practice can help your mind make connections between seemingly unrelated experiences or senses.
4.Get fresh air: Fresh air can boost brain power, focus and mood.
5.Get online: Internet surfing engages you mentally and physically as you click around pages.
6.Go for a walk: Explore your neighborhood in a new way by taking a walk and noticing new smells, scenes, textures and noises.
7.Identify your brain’s best hour: Studies have shown that older people think most clearly in the morning while younger people are more focused in the afternoon.
8.Smell natural scents: Natural scents like sandalwood increase oxygen flow to the brain.
9.Connect your memories to events, sense and old memories: By making connections between new memories and things your brain already recognizes, you’ll be able to remember them more easily.
10.Listen to classical music: A study involving people who listened to Mozart found that their brains were able to make complex connections faster.
11.Avoid neurotoxins: Pollution, certain food additives and other chemicals slow down your brain.
12.Learn to deal with stress: Stress complicates your brain’s ability to process short-term memory.
13.Observe something new every day: Each day, think of a new thing to observe, like the colors people wear or different smells.
Exercises

These brain teasers and tricks will keep your mind young and healthy.

14.Draw: Drawing taps into the right side of your brain, a side that many of us seldom use.
15.Streamwriting: Leonardo da Vinci’s streamwriting technique can help you tap into your subconscious.
16.Blind readings: This exercise can help you tap into your intuition and requires you to write three solutions to a problem you have on three different index cards. Turn them over and evaluate which one you’re most drawn to.
17.Play this or that: The this or that game requires you to make impulse choices based on your intuition or gut reactions to questions like "city or town" or "mountains or beach."
18.Self-massage: Use this acupressure exercise guide to stimulate your brain and improve concentration and memory.
19.Aerobic activity: Increase oxygen and blood flow to the brain and give your brain a rest by running, swimming or doing cardio.
20.Red-light Green-light: Associate red lights with no/false/stop and green lights with yes/true/go while asking yourself questions. You’ll learn to trust your intuition after you answer.
21.Dance: Dancing is a great form of exercise and challenges your brain to learn new routines.
22.Puzzles: All kinds of puzzles, including word puzzles, work your brain.
23.Get dressed in the dark: Neurobic exercises, like getting dressed in the dark, require you to use different senses for different activities.
24.Prepare a story: Think out a story that you’ll tell friends later in the day, and consider storytelling style, details, jokes and more.
25.Play trivia games: Read trivia blogs and play trivia games to practice learning simple facts.
26.Sudoku: Sudoku is actually one of the most powerful brain exercises out there.
Diet

Diet plays a big role in how our brains function, just like the rest of our bodies and organs. Add more of these foods into your diet for better brain power.

27.Blueberries: Blueberries, the most popular "brain food," support cell growth and have valuable antioxidants.
28.Red cabbage: Red cabbage contains polyphenols that improve brain function and protect against stroke and Alzheimer’s.
29.Kale: Three servings per day of dark green leafy vegetables like kale can slow cognitive decline by 40%.
30.Almonds: Almonds contain phenylalanine, which stimulates the brain’s ability to create dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.
31.Walnuts: Another valuable nut is the walnut, which contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids and help relieve bad moods, appetite and insomnia.
32.Salmon: Salmon contains healthy fats from omega-3s that are incredibly beneficial to brain health.
33.Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt contains tyrosine which improves focus and mental alertness.
34.Green tea: Another popular brain food is green tea, which boosts alertness, dopamine production and helps the brain make connections.
35.Asparagus: One cup of asparagus contains 70% of your daily requirement for folic acid, which helps memory.
36.Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in powerful antioxidants that promote cells’ abilities to help the brain send messages.
37.Eggs: Eat eggs for protein and choline, which improves memory.
38.Thyme: A study using rats found that thyme helped the older rats’ brains operate more like younger rats.
39.Tomatoes: Tomatoes give your brain valuable carotenoids to help it stay young.
40.Eat low-carb: High-carb foods can make you feel sleepy and sluggish, especially if you eat carbs made of white sugars.
41.Eat: Studies show that anorexics’ brains are more preoccupied with perfection and practical details rather than creativity or impulse.
42.Caffeine: Caffeine helps you stay alert temporarily and helps prevent cognitive decline.
Sleep

Sleep is important if you want more energy, better focus and a higher brian performance.

43.Get up earlier: Wake up earlier to get a fresh start and give yourself more time to get ready without rushing.
44.Take a catnap: A catnap as short as 6 minutes may sharpen memory.
45.Sleep deeply: Allow enough time for your sleep to reach the REM cycle so that your brain can dream and make connections.
46.Stay on a schedule: A regular sleeping schedule will help you fall asleep faster and wake up easier.
47.Go to bed earlier: The first part of your sleep may help your brain the most, so allow for extra sleeping time at night, not the next morning.
Social Hacks

Did you know that hanging out with friends is actually good for your mood and your mind? Here’s how being social impacts your brain health.

48.Volunteer: Volunteering reduces stress and provides you with a social outlet for making new friends and learning something new.
49.Plan a party: Your brain will have to focus on new types of details, and you’ll also get a lot of beneficial social interaction.
50.Share stories: Help your brain make connections by retelling stories to friends.
51.Hang out with friends: Social relationships and activities, even just talking on the phone, improves brain cognition, keeps you sharp, and lowers stress.
52.Hold group discussions: Group discussions fulfill your need to be social and help you think of things in a new perspective.
53.Take a class with a friend: Learning something new with a friend can help you review facts later and supplement the experience.
54.Interact with everyone: Don’t be friendly with friends only: to get as much brain benefit as you can out of social interaction, say hello to neighbors and strangers, too.
Learning

Brains that are constantly learning something new are less likely to go into a decline as you age.

55.Take a class: Explore a new subject to exercise your brain while practicing skills like critical thinking.
56.Memorize a poem: Memorize a new poem each day and then recite it back to someone in the evening.
57.Read: Reading engages your mind, teaches you new things, and can help you become more intuitive.
58.Learn song lyrics: Look up lyrics to a song and then test yourself when it comes on the radio.
59.Brainstorm: Let your brain make its own connections before starting on a project in a more clinical way.
60.Strike a balance: Over analyzing a subject can actually hinder creativity, so give yourself a break.
61.Watch less TV: While there are educational programs on TV, you’ll learn more by engaging yourself in actual activities.
62.Write: Even if you don’t think you’re a writer, take a few moments each day to practice being creative.
63.Practice: Practice new skills to get your brain accustomed to new strategies.
64.Switch up what you read: Read a science or travel magazine instead of a mystery novel to challenge your brain.
65.Try everything: Even if you think it’s a dumb idea, trying all solutions to a problem helps you stay creative.
66.Take notes: Take notes even if you’re not going to be quizzed later, as this practice helps you remember facts as well as your feelings about a subject.
67.Ask more questions: Asking questions keeps you engaged and helps you remember.
Habits

Consider these habits for better brain health.

68.Breathe deeply: Increase oxygen flow to your brain by breathing deeply.
69.Meditate: Clear your head and learn how to really connect yourself to the present moment through meditation.
70.Use your fingers more: Engage your fingers by using chopsticks, writing with a pen instead of the computer, or roll a pen through your fingers to stimulate your brain.
71.Take care of your teeth: Gingivits and poor oral health can contribute to cognitive decline.
72.Make lists: Lists help you make connections, analyze your tasks in a visual way and help memory.
73.Keep things varied: Don’t fall into a routine with your food, schedule, movie choices or hang-out spots.
74.Quit smoking: Nicotine reduces brain function by constricting blood flow to the brain.
75.Drink less alcohol: Alcohol doesn’t just impair your mind temporarily: frequent drinking can lead to cognitive decline in the long term, too.
76.Trust yourself: Tap into your intuition and natural brain power by trusting your instincts.
77.Write things down: The actual process of writing things down helps you remember them.
78.Keep a journal: Help your brain make connections at the end of the day by keeping a journal.
79.Translate: If you speak another language or are at least learning one, try translating past conversations, TV scenes and signs into the other language.
Challenges

Keep your brain sharp by testing it as much as you can.

80.Use your other hand: Make your brain concentrate on an activity it usually does involuntarily.
81.Travel: Traveling opens up your brain to all kinds of new challenges, smells, sights, noises and experiences.
82.Play Scrabble: Tricky games like Scrabble that require you to make connections and find solutions are good challenges for your brain.
83.Try to remember: By recalling facts, specific details and conversations from the last couple of days, you’ll work out your brain.
84.Drive a different route to work: Switch up your regular routine to make your brain work a little harder. Test yourself on the way home.
85.Take on extra responsibility: Instead of delegating a hard task to a subordinate, do it yourself to engage your brain.
86.Memorize phone numbers: Trying to remember a series of numbers gives your brain a good work out.
87.Rearrange your furniture: It’s amazing how accustomed your brain can become to an environment, but if you rearrange it, you’ll be challenged every time you walk into the room.
88.Do your errands on a different day: Break the routine by running your errands on a different day of the week.
89.Interview people: Interview people about their jobs and relationships to keep things fresh and continue learning.
90.Add in the physical aspect: Your brain becomes more engaged when you combine the mental with the physical, so practice a pen trick while you read.
91.Take a test: Take a test on any subject to find out your weaknesses and how you can improve upon them.
92.Use new media to interact: If you only talk to your parents on the phone, try using IM or Facebook chat every once in a while for a different experience.
93.Memorize names: At a party or other social event, try to remember all of the names of the people you just met, in the same order.
Vitamins

Add these vitamins to your diet for better brain power.

94.Vitamin E: Vitamin E can prevent Alzheimer’s.
95.Vitamin B: Vitamin B12 can prevent brain shrinkage in older individuals.
Wellness

These healthy living hacks will keep your mind sharp well into old age.

96.Stay healthy: Eating too much saturated fat and developing Type II diabetes can actually hurt your brain, too.
97.Keep your energy up: Exercise and eat healthy foods to stay energized and focused.
98.Practice good heart health: Heart-healthy foods and activities are also good for your brain.
99.Try natural remedies when you’re sick: To avoid side effects like cloudiness and more serious issues, ask your doctor about natural remedies.
100.Wear a helmet: Each concussion can greatly increase your chances of dementia.
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Saturday, February 27, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Grounding
Art of Grounding
So many of us in the modern day become so wrapped up in our lives, that we forget to pay attention to the little details that can truly enrich our daily experiences. Our attention is often occupied by events that happened last week, month or year, or even by worries of what will happen tomorrow, next Tuesday or even next month. We forget or may never realize that the greatest power we hold is in the moment.

One way to come back to the present is to ground oneself. Grounding is, in effect, being completely in your body (aware of physical sensations), and being present mentally and emotionally. Aside from the health benefits grounding provides (such as stress relief), you'll feel lighter and more in control of your environment. There are numerous ways to ground - the important thing is to find a method that truly works for you. I've included two ways you can experiment with: Tree Hugging , and Visualization Meditation.


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Hug a Tree
This exercise will require a nice looking tree that you wouldn't mind putting your arms around, as well as some privacy, if you're the type to feel self conscious hugging a tree in public (you can also sit at the base of the tree, or lean your back against the trunk). When you have found yourself a good tree, wrap your arms are around the trunk. Close your eyes and take at least three deep breaths, loosening your muscles at the same time.

Position your feet so that they are flat on the ground. If possible, remove your shoes so your feet are making contact with the earth; this will aid in your grounding process. Acknowledge any negativity you may have stored in your system - thoughts of worry, anxiety, past hurts, grudges, other people's energies, physical pain, etc., and then one by one, release them into the earth, watching them sink deep into the soil beneath you. Imagine that energy being soaked up and neutralized by the earth's healing energies.

When you're ready, imagine the healing energy of the earth begin rising up through the soles of your feet; you can imagine this energy as having a color, even a certain texture. Feel this energy rising up through your limbs, into your torso, arms, shoulders, neck and your head, and then out through the crown of your head.

Next, visualize pure healing white light from the universe streaming down into you through the crown of your head. Imagine this light flowing throughout your body, and sink into the ground through the soles of your feet. See the two energies mixing within your body, harmonizing and balancing your energies. Allow both energies to run for a few minutes.

Don't forget to breathe deeply and slowly while you're doing this. You might feel tingling, buzzing, warmth or energy coursing through your body, all of which is normal. If you find yourself getting dizzy, slow down the energy flow, and take it easy for a few minutes. Slowly bring yourself back to the present, and detach yourself from the tree gently. Thank the tree for its assistance, as well as Mother Earth for her healing and loving energies.

Meditation Visualization
You may do this excercise standing or sitting on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Begin by breathing into your muscles, bones and organs until you are feeling calm and quiet. Bring your attention to the soles of your feet as you imagine roots growing out from them and extending slowly through the floor and into the earth. Watch them move deeper and deeper into the earth until they hit the magnetic core center.

Allow your body to feel the effects of gravity as it gets heavier and pulls you down, draining any tension, stress, negative emotions and energies out of your system. Let them sink into the earth through your roots and continue to breathe deeply. Instead of forcing your breath, allow your breath to breathe you.

Now that you are completely relaxed, slowly imagine a ball of healing earth energy gathering at the end of your roots, and see it moving through your roots towards your feet. Allow as much time as you need in order to visualize this ball of energy reaching the soles of your feet. Feel it traveling up through your limbs and into your abdomen and let it pause there for a moment.

Take some time to get used to this energy and observe its physical, emotional and mental effects on you. Explore the texture of this energy, and the colors that may accompany it. Immerse yourself in this feeling, and when you're ready, visualize this ball of energy expanding slowly until you are completely enveloped by it, like a bubble.

Let this ball continue to grow until it reaches about three to four feet from your physical body. Soak in the healing energies and know that you are safe and in control of your environment. You may stay in this state for as long as you need.

When you're ready, slowly wiggle your toes; rock your feet side to side, back and forth gently, until you can easily lift your feet up. Imagine those roots you just planted into the earth gently dislodging from your feet. Gently bring the rest of your body back to the present by wiggling and stretching them. Thank the Mother Earth for sharing her healing energies with you.

Welcome back!
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: grounding
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mornings
How to be Happy First Thing in the Morning
by William McCamment on July 10, 2009

I have discovered the secret to being happy first thing in the morning and, surprisingly, it has nothing to do with getting to work early and hiding a family of radioactive badgers under your boss’ desk.

I’m always happy in the morning–even when I lived in Wisconsin and had to get up at 2:30 a.m. so I could have time to scrape ice off my 1988 Nissan Pulsar and drive 60 miles through nearly-fictional weather in order to get to my crummy little job.

I realize I’m probably not normal, but here are a few things I’ve learned that should help most people reduce their morning grumpiness:

1. Give Yourself Extra Time And Do Something Fun In The Morning

I know a lot of you would rather be mauled by dingos than have to get up any earlier, but giving yourself extra time in the morning will take that “rushed” feeling away and reduce the tension level by several degrees. I give myself a full hour before I even have to start getting ready. Usually, I spend it relaxing with a large cup of coffee and plotting a bank heist surfing the internet.

2. Learn To Get Up Before The Alarm Goes Off

Waking up to a screeching alarm is the surest way to inspire a killing spree. I’ve trained myself to wake up an hour before the alarm goes off and, seriously, it is the best advice in this whole article (don’t forget to shut off the alarm when you get out of bed though!).

3. Avoid Chore-Style Work First Thing In The Morning

Sure, you’ll have to feed the cats to stop their relentless yowling, but doing things like answering emails or shellacking patio furniture is way too much like work. Engage only in mindless, low-level activities such as watching squirrel videos or reading Dead Rooster.

4. Stay Away From The News

Trust me, if the world was vaporized by a runaway asteroid, someone would have told you.

5. Do Something Nice For A Random Person

Look for an opportunity to do something nice for someone. This is not only one of the most uplifting things you can do for yourself, but it might even cause a chain-reaction brightening the days of dozens of people you’ll never even meet. Give it a try and see how good it makes you feel.

Being happy first thing in the morning is important because it sets the tone for your entire day. Work on the morning and, I promise you, the rest of your day will have a much better chance of turning out great
Posted by Theresa Snyder MS at Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: mornings
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
humor
Research results indicate that, after exposure to humor, there is a general increase in activity within the immune system, including: An increase in the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumor cells.
An increase in activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up a notch."
An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections.
An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on."
An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as an increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells. The increase in both substances was not only present while subjects watched a humor video; there also was a lingering effect that continued to show increased levels the next day.


Laughter Decreases "Stress" Hormones

The results of the study also supported research indicating a general decrease in stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity. These were shown to decrease in the study group exposed to humor.

For example, levels of epinephrine were lower in the group both in anticipation of humor and after exposure to humor. Epinephrine levels remained down throughout the experiment.

In addition, dopamine levels (as measured by dopac) were also decreased. Dopamine is involved in the "fight or flight response" and is associated with elevated blood pressure.

Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to use oxygen.

Laughter brings in positive emotions that can enhance – not replace -- conventional treatments. Hence it is another tool available to help fight the disease.

Experts believe that, when used as an adjunct to conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process. For one thing, laughter offers a powerful distraction from pain.

In a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners after surgery and before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to humor perceived less pain when compared to patients who didn't get a dose of humor as part of their therapy.

Perhaps, the biggest benefit of laughter is that it is free and has no known negative side effects.

So, here is a summary of how humor contributes to physical health. More details can be found in the article, Humor and Health contributed by Paul McGhee

Muscle Relaxation - Belly laugh results in muscle relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. After you finish laughing those muscles involved in the laughter start to relax. So, the action takes place in two stages.

Reduction of Stress Hormones - Laughter reduces at least four of neuroendocrine hormones associated with stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth hormone.

Immune System Enhancement - Clinical studies have shown that humor strengthens the immune system.

Pain Reduction - Humor allows a person to "forget" about pains such as aches, arthritis, etc.

Cardiac Exercise - A belly laugh is equivalent to "an internal jogging." Laughter can provide good cardiac conditioning especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercises.