8 Considerable Reasons To Develop A Sense Of Humor

If you have an interest in enhancing your health, brain, social life, and state of mind, attempt to laugh more. Having a good sense of humor is beneficial to several elements of your life. A well-developed sense of humor has incredible advantages. Chuckling and smiling aren't frivolous activities. So, stop being so serious and discover why humor is so important.

A sense of humor has numerous benefits:

1. Reinforce your health. The more you laugh, the less regularly you'll be sick. Studies have actually revealed that laughing enhances the body's immune system. It likewise decreases your risk of high blood pressure, which is great for your heart and brain. It's possible that laughter can lower your medical costs.

2. A funny bone is attractive. Who does not like to laugh? We're instinctively drawn to individuals that laugh easily. Everybody wants to have fun and release their stress.

If you're enjoyable to be with and you understand ways to make others laugh, you'll find yourself surrounded by others who likewise have a common sense of humor.

3. Reduce stress. Day-to-day living can be pretty demanding. There are lots of ways to relieve tension, however few feel as good as a good laugh. With a common sense of humor, it's easy to find various reasons to laugh about life. A great laugh will permit you to forget your difficulties for a little while.

4. Boost your mood. It feels great to laugh, and the good feelings can last for hours afterwards. Humor can reroute your focus from the negative happenings in your life to something more pleasurable.

5. Boost your social life. Whether you're trying to find brand-new friends or searching for the man or woman of your dreams, having a funny bone, or sense of humor, is important. Think about the most popular people you know. Are they upbeat and do they smile easily? Or do they do not have a good sense of humor?

6. Benefit others. Your state of mind, words, and actions affect those around you. When you're in a bad mood, it adversely affects others. Your smiling, pleased face and state of mind are uplifting and lighten up the moods of those around you.

7. Reinforce your relationships. Is it possible to have a relationship that would not take advantage of your sense of humor? Laughing together will bring you closer. You'll find that your relationships with your neighbors, pals, family, and coworkers take advantage of your ability to laugh and appreciate the lighter side of life.

8. Increase your intelligence. At the minimum, you'll learn more quickly. A study demonstrated that laughing stimulates the learning centers of the brain. Promoting those areas regularly is believed to boost the ability to learn and retain new information. Laughing might assist you to get a scholarship to Harvard.

Laughing is good for you. Your sense of humor effects your health, state of mind, social life, and those around you. They say that, "Laughter is the best medicine." Now you have a better understanding as to why that statement is true. Discover the humor in life and keep your state of mind light. There are no benefits to expecting the worst and experiencing negative moods.

Spend time with others who take pleasure in laughing. Make it a point to take pleasure in funny movies or watch your favorite comics. Your laughter helps you and those around you. Feel free to laugh more.

http://ezinearticles.com/?8-Considerable-Reasons-To-Develop-A-Sense-Of-Humor&id=9490823

11 Tips to Boost Your Mood and Be Happier

How happiness experts stay centered, optimistic, grateful and satisfied in their busy lives—and how you can, too 

What makes you happy?

Besides the big stuff like family, health, work and faith, you probably treasure at least one small, regular ritual that brings you peace, joy, sanity, flow and reflection. Unwittingly over the years, you have probably developed and perfected a strategy for cultivating qualities proven to feed a positive outlook: gratitude, optimism, awe, compassion, mindfulness and physical health, for instance. And it’s probably not by writing in a leather-bound gratitude journal every night or sitting in the lotus position chanting “om” each morning.Happy habits don’t need to be formal or fit idealized notions of tranquility or all-out jubilation, but they should be personalized.

My ritual is going for a long walk through the neighborhood with my headphones on, music providing a dramatic soundtrack to my everyday worries, hopes and fantasies. But you might lift your mood by gardening, sipping coffee while reading a book, doodling on a sketchpad, reading your child a bedtime story or hiking with a friend.

We asked positive-psychology leaders how they practice what they preach. How do they stay centered, optimistic, grateful and satisfied in their busy lives? They share their surprising answers below.

1. “First thing in the morning I get on my treadmill, and I get a bridge partner on the Internet. I have an air desk so I can walk for an hour at 3 mph and play bridge at the same time.”

—Martin Seligman, Ph.D., director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and author of Learned Optimism, Authentic Happinessand Flourish

2. “A good conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee and jogging along the Hudson River in New York City are two of my favorite activities.”

—Gabriele Oettingen, Ph.D., professor of psychology at New York University and author of Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation

3. “Even when I’m totally off my game and out of my normal happiness routines—which include writing down what I’m grateful for, getting enough sleep, hiking with my dog, allowing myself to just work on one thing at a time, etc.—I still always make an effort to connect with strangers. I look passersby in the eye and smile. I chat with the barista. I dish out compliments (“Love your shoes!”) in the grocery store. It’s almost a game for me: Who smiles back? Who brightens? Who chuckles? And it rarely fails to lift my spirits.”

—Christine Carter, Ph.D., senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parentsand The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work

4. “Before breakfast every morning, I start a meditative routine on a yoga mat with a foam roller. I work through trigger points in my legs, hips, back and chest. Then I move to a series of plank and lunge poses. Often my 3-year-old daughter will climb onto my back to add 50 pounds of weight. She knows Daddy starts the day by working out. She knows I don’t talk when I work out, so I can hear her breathing next to my own, and we often get synchronized. Taking care of my body, noticing and appreciating what is happening in the present moment, connecting to my daughter: all mushed up together in a daily 10-minute routine.”

—Todd Kashdan, Ph.D., professor of psychology at George Mason University and author of The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why Being Your Whole Self—Not Just Your “Good” Self—Drives Success and Fulfillmentand Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life

5. “I make sure I ask myself what I need emotionally in the moment, then try to provide it directly. This often involves some physical touch like putting both my hands on my heart so I can feel cared for and supported, and then speaking to myself with the same warmth, compassion and encouragement I would show to a good friend. When I’m struggling, I say things like ‘I’m sorry this is so hard right now. I’m here for you.’ ”

—Kristen Neff, Ph.D., associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

6. “Every other week, I take my 1-year-old son Leo to the Dallas aquarium. Very few things in this world make me as happy as watching someone I love become overwhelmed with awe at something as ordinary as a swimming turtle. Awe, like joy, is contagious, and I want to see the world through eyes like Leo’s.”

—Shawn Achor, happiness researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Workand Before Happiness: The 5 Hidden Keys to Achieving Success, Spreading Happiness, and Sustaining Positive Change

7. “I love to run and/or walk along the Charles River here in Boston, in all seasons. But the biggest delight I share with my wife, Alicia, is our annual weeklong visit to Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. We look forward to it all year as a boost and culmination of being active, outside, with a new group of friends, doing yoga and tai chi, participating in new dances, and being almost completely away from our digital connections and devices.”

—John J. Ratey, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brainand Go Wild: Free Your Body and Mind from the Afflictions of Civilization

8. “Kickboxing class is my coffee-free pickup. It is not violent (I box to a four-count beat with music) but rather an exhilarating way to get my feel-good hormones racing through my body.”

—Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of Better than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love

9. “I try to reflect on human kindness by thinking of those who have reached out to me or offered help.”

—Fred Luskin, Ph.D., director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects at Stanford University and author of Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness

10. “For me, it’s going on a brisk walk through parklands or by the water. I walk fast enough to get my blood pumping and clear my head. Sometimes I listen to music or an audio program, but mostly I just breathe deeply and listen to my own thoughts, allowing them to untangle in my mind.”

—Domonique Bertolucci, author of The Happiness Code: Ten Keys to Being the Best You Can Beand 100 Days Happier: Daily Inspiration for Life-Long Happiness

11. “I just try to make anything I have to do, or that I can do, into something that I enjoy—by learning about it, savoring it, doing it better than I did it before. When I was younger, I depended much more on specific activities like rock climbing, mountain climbing, painting or reading…. Now, in the ninth decade of life, I am just grateful to be alive…. [And] the people I love… are just as essential now as they ever were.”

http://www.success.com/article/11-tips-to-boost-your-mood-and-be-happier

The 5 Best Ways To Prevent Depression Naturally

Believe it or not, the best antidepressants on Earth don’t come from a pill bottle. From getting more sleep to taking up a hobby, making these simple changes in your life can help boost your mood and prevent depression.

1. Get enough sleep.

There’s nothing like tossing and turning all night to put you in a bad mood, but sleep disturbances may go further than that. According to researchers, disturbances in circadian rhythms have been linked to depression, and resynchronizing circadian rhythms using melatonin supplements or light therapy may actually have antidepressant effects.

Whether you’re dealing with major depression or just looking to boost your mood, improving your sleep hygiene is an important first step. Go to bed at the same time each day, turn off the screens a bit earlier than normal, and look into light therapy if your work schedule means you don’t get much sunlight.

2. Exercise.

You’ve probably heard this before, but listen up: Exercise is incredibly valuable, not only for general health, but for its mood-boosting effects, too. You don’t need to run a marathon to reap the benefits of exercise. In a recent study, researchers had depressed patients pedal a stationary bike, measuring their subjective symptoms and cortisol (stress hormone) levels before and afterwards. They found that after just 15 minutes of exercise, both the patients’ symptoms of depression and cortisol levels were significantly reduced.

3. Regulate your blood sugar.

Have you ever eaten a sugary snack, only to find yourself starving and miserable an hour later? What goes up must come down, and a blood sugar spike followed by a crash is a one-way ticket to a lousy mood. But according to one study, sugar may have a bigger role to play in depression than originally thought. Researchers analyzed data from six countries and found a highly significant correlation between sugar consumption and depression rates.

Whether you’re battling depression or just trying to avoid the afternoon crash, balancing your blood sugar is key. Make sure to eat regular meals and snacks, including a good source of protein at every one.

4. Eat healthy fats.

Are you getting enough fish in your diet? Researchers have found that eating omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (like those found in salmon, trout and sardines) reduces symptoms of depression. Flaxseeds and walnuts are also great sources of omega-3s.

5. Find passion in life.

Even if you’re eating healthy, getting enough sleep and doing your exercise, nothing will boost your mood like having a sense of purpose. According to Blue Zones, people who have a sense of purpose live up to seven years longer than those who don’t.

In a study of community-dwelling elderly people in Japan, researchers used recall reports to learn about their subjects’ lifestyles. They found that those who didn’t show symptoms of depression had a history of physical exercise, a healthy diet and the presence of hobbies throughout their lives. Finding activities you enjoy that give you a sense of purpose is a surefire way to improve your mood and reduce your risk of depression.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12914/the-5-best-ways-to-prevent-depression-naturally.html

15 Fascinating Facts About Smiling

Everyone loves the quote “laughter is the best medicine,” and as a nurse, I have experienced the benefits of smiling and laughter with my patients. In fact, smiling can boost your mood and even your immune system. Keep reading for more fascinating facts about our smiles.

1. Forcing yourself to smile can boost your mood: Psychologists have found that even if you’re in bad mood, you can instantly lift your spirits by forcing yourself to smile.
2. It boosts your immune system: Smiling really can improve your physical health, too. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.
3. Smiles are contagious: It’s not just a saying: smiling really is contagious, scientists say. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own.
4. Smiles Relieve Stress: Your body immediately releases endorphins when you smile, even when you force it. This sudden change in mood will help you feel better and release stress.
5. It’s easier to smile than to frown: Scientists have discovered that your body has to work harder and use more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
6. It’s a universal sign of happiness: While hand shakes, hugs, and bows all have varying meanings across cultures, smiling is known around the world and in all cultures as a sign of happiness and acceptance.
7. We still smile at work: While we smile less at work than we do at home, 30% of subjects in a research study smiled five to 20 times a day, and 28% smiled over 20 times per day at the office.
8. Smiles use from 5 to 53 facial muscles: Just smiling can require your body to use up to 53 muscles, but some smiles only use 5 muscle movements.
9. Babies are born with the ability to smile: Babies learn a lot of behaviors and sounds from watching the people around them, but scientists believe that all babies are born with the ability, since even blind babies smile.
10. Smiling helps you get promoted: Smiles make a person seem more attractive, sociable and confident, and people who smile more are more likely to get a promotion.
11. Smiles are the most easily recognizable facial expression: People can recognize smiles from up to 300 feet away, making it the most easily recognizable facial expression.
12. Women smile more than men: Generally, women smile more than men, but when they participate in similar work or social roles, they smile the same amount. This finding leads scientists to believe that gender roles are quite flexible. Boy babies, though, do smile less than girl babies, who also make more eye contact.
13. Smiles are more attractive than makeup: A research study conducted by Orbit Complete discovered that 69% of people find women more attractive when they smile than when they are wearing makeup.
14. There are 19 different types of smiles: UC-San Francisco researcher identified 19 types of smiles and put them into two categories: polite “social” smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere “felt” smiles that use more muscles on both sides of the face.
15. Babies start smiling as newborns: Most doctors believe that real smiles occur when babies are awake at the age of four-to-six weeks, but babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they’re born.

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/15-fascinating-facts-about-smiling/