With everything going on in the World today, I thought it would be timely to discuss something affecting us all:
STRESS!
While experiencing stress, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol, which is normal and actually healthy.
In fact, cortisol can help save your life!
Let’s say you’re driving down the highway and a car swerves in front of you. Your body instantly elevates your cortisol levels, which helps you mentally and physically prepare to handle this dangerous situation by quickly hitting the brakes or changing lanes to avoid an accident.
Once a stressful situation has passed, however, it’s vitally important that we allow our bodies to relax, which helps our cortisol levels return to normal.
Simple, right?
The REALITY is that we live in an always on, always connected, 24/7 world (think email, mobile phones, SMS, instant messaging and 24 hour news). In this multi-tasking environment we seldom relax, keeping our cortisol levels high for prolonged periods.
From life saver to health hazard, here are just a few of the problems prolonged elevated levels of cortisol can have on your body:
- Mental focus and memory problems
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased abdominal fat (which can lead to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke)
The good news is that there’s something simple you can do to help reduce both stress and the cortisol in your bloodstream:
LAUGH!
Here are some easy things you can do to add levity to your life:
- Instead of turning on CNN or reading the front page of the newspaper, read your favorite comic strip first thing in the morning. Some of my favorites can be found on WashingtonPost.com
- Learn one new joke a day and share it with a friend. LOL
- TiVo (record) your favorite TV sitcoms and watch them with a loved one. Laughing is contagious and it’s always special when you can enjoy good comedy with someone you care about.
- Turn on some good music and dance around the house. Being silly is mandatory. I do this with my kids a lot and we all have a good laugh at Daddy’s expense
- Visit your local Comedy Club. My wife and I recently went to the DC Improv and I haven’t laughed that hard in YEARS!
What are some of the things YOU like to do to have a good laugh? Leave your answer in the comments section below!
Until next time!
Buck
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Everyone
My cats make me laugh when I play “cat-fishing” with them. All you need is a bamboo pole, 3 ft. of string and a soft catnip toy tied on the end. They go nuts trying to catch it, performing amazing acrobatics.
That’s an awesome tip. Thanks, Retha!
I totally forgot how hilarious our pets can be!
Buck
I have a 1 1/2 year old granddaughter I watch frequently. We laugh and play a lot, teaching her as we go. She loves to dance so we turn on Barney and she gets so carried away trying to do the steps, she lands on her bottom and we both have a big joyful laugh then. Children are a great sourse for having fun and laughing as they have so much to learn in this life.
Thanks, Phyllis. You are so right!
My 7 year old son, Lukas, and my 6 month old daughter, Ema, often have me laughing so hard my belly aches!
Buck
That story took me back about 13 years to me and my precious grandbaby girl. I loved those times and look forward to the new times when she comes this Summer to stay with me. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
I have a five year old grandson named Gabriel. The other night he was looking at me and said Pops you are propably going to heaven before me and he thought it would be a good idea if he took some pictures of me before I left. He was as serious as he could be and proceeded to do just that with his dads digital camera. It sure gave me a laugh.
Hi
I get rid of stress by
Playing My Bass Guitar, singing ,Walking and listening to Music
Talking to friends,
“Thanking God for what I have”
Thomas
My 2 boys are complete and total unrealizing comedian’s – they do things and say things that make me laugh so hard I have to run to the bathroom. But other than my children I believe laughter is a HUGE part life and destressing and I have mad eit a point that my children know this and we just be silly – down right silly. I am WELL known for just busting a move out of no where andm y kids really laugh at me! They think mommy breaken out her moves is the funniest thing ever – and they join in and we just go nuts . I do these random things on whims like this more so when I am stressed and it really does help!
I discovered my inner comedian. When really stressful i go and make my peers laugh. I do impressions, odd vocices, tell them a quick and funny story.(I never interupt enough to cause trouble for them I do it only only at down times). It really relieves my stress andbonds us together, the atmosphere is always great aroung them. I also like to sing and dance at home with my grandson he thinks Nana is “nuts” but he can’t help but laugh and his joy makes me laugh!
That’s awesome, Ruby! I love doing funny voices to make my family laugh, too!
Buck
My uncle slways said: ” Go back into your yester years and laugh ” a good way of relieving stress.