October 24, 2006

LOL (LAUGH OUT LOUD)   When was the last time you had a deep down belly laugh?  Been a while?  "The average kindergarten student laughs 300 times a day. Yet, adults average just 17 laughs a day", says Dr. William Fry, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University Medical School. What's more, he says "we don't stop laughing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop laughing."   Laughter is the best medicine.  Check out these benefits, according to Drs. Lee Berk and Stanly Tan of Loma Linda University in California: lowers blood pressure reduces stress hormones increases muscle flexion boosts immune function triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers produces a general sense of well-being   How can you increase your belly laughs and reap the benefits?  Join a laughter club!  Yes, meet Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, India.  "His mission: to trigger an international laughter epidemic that he says can improve our health, increase our profits, and maybe even bring world peace.  His means of transmission: laughter clubs - small groups of people who come together early each morning at parks, village greens, and shopping centers to spend a half hour laughing."  (Daniel Pink, A Whole New Mind)   "The whole purpose of a laughter club is to be more playful. When you are playful, you are activating the right side of your brain," says Dr. Kataria. "The logical brain is a limited brain.  The right side is unlimited.  You can be anything you want."  For you left brainers out there, (yes, admit it), the right side of your brain is the creative side, and exercising this right side is the wave of the future.  Creativity will rule in your personal and professional lives.    Tap into this creativity by bringing more laughter into your life.  Start a laughter club at your office and end each morning huddle with a good belly laugh.  Laugh with your team or employees.  Lay your issues on the table, kiss them good-bye for the day, and laugh.  Best of all, you'll find that the day flows with greater ease, you better handle unexpected situations, and a smile remains on your face.  Your patients and customers will notice, lending truth to the belief that laughter is contagious.  "They (laughing people) are more productive people.  People who laugh together can work together", says Dr. Kataria.  That's a recipe for business success.   What's more, humor connects people together.  Laugh at home.  Laugh with your spouse and your children.  Watch funny movies, play games, and roll around on the floor as you did when you were a youngster.  Bring out the child in everyone.  Laugh with your friends and see your relationships deepen. Laugh with your enemies and see what happens.    Just laugh.  For more information on laughing clubs see Dr. Kataria's website, www.laughteryoga.org         "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."             e.e. cummings   "We don't laugh because we're happy, we are happy because we laugh."             William James   "You can turn painful situations around through laughter.  If you can find humor in anything - even poverty - you can survive it."             Bill Cosby   "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."             Victor Hugo          John and I laughed away at comedian Carrot Top's show last week in Las Vegas.  His creativity with his signature props out of the stage trunks is amazing.  No left brain in his routine.  Vegas is not lacking in creativity either with each hotel more amazing than its neighbor.  Sensory overload was the theme of the week.  People, gambling, food, drink, shows, and glitz everywhere.  I needed a beach vacation when I got home.    Nonetheless, it was a great meeting.  I attended a few seminars, went to a board meeting, a very early social breakfast, and the installation banquet for the American Association of Women Dentists where I was installed as Vice-President for the upcoming year.  Many friendships were renewed and new ones begun.   There was more sensory overload when we returned home.  We met with the interior decorator who is helping us with the transformation of our house from the 1950's to year 2007 (remember, John grew up in this house).  Wow is all I can say.  Ideas for color, fabrics, flooring, wall treatments, and furniture were ample.  Creativity lives!   Have a fantastic week and laugh out loud often.   Stephanie        We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com