August 13 2018
Monday, August 13, 2018
Continuing with our theme of Humor to Help Heal, laughter has been used in Healing for centuries. The Ancient Greeks employed clowns in Hippocrates time. And today studies show that laughter: reduces physical and mental stress levels, improves moods, lowers anxiety, increases alertness, improves immune systems, reduces pain and lowers blood pressure – all things Helpful for mourners. One study from the University of Berkeley followed recent widows and widowers and even found that those who smiled and laughed when recalling times with a loved one had lower levels of depression and anxiety at six, 12 and 24 months after the death.
(Adapted from the article first printed in the Centre Daily Times’ “Helping Hands” column on July 25, 2018)
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