Dr. David’s Holiday Prescription: More Laughter!
Dear (Contact First Name),
Laughter is A Prescription in Chinese Medicine!
With the holidays coming, let’s focus on all the positive things this Season brings rather than the stressers! There will be lots of family and social events. So, here’s one way to improve your health…and the health of those around you!
I often prescribe laughter to my patients for a wide variety of symptoms. Asian Medicine is a holistic medicine, so when someone comes in complaining of a problem, we often see the problem as a symptom (or “branch”) of the problem and not necessarily the “root cause”. We treat both the root and the branch of the problem with acupuncture, herbs, massage, cupping and moxibustion, but we also prescribe laughter because it is one way to get the Qi (energy flow) of the whole body moving again. This ancient medicine recognized long ago what researchers are again discovering:
Laughter is a powerful way to get your Qi (energy) moving again in the body.
Laughter works quickly.
Laugher can help you get better and get better more quickly.
Laughter is now being incorporated in healing at Cancer Treatment Centers.
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Creating opportunities to laugh -try these!
Watch a funny movie or TV show.
Go to a comedy club.
Read the funny pages.
Seek out funny people.
Share a good joke or a funny story.
Check out your bookstore’s humor section.
Host game night with friends.
Play with a pet.
Go to a “laughter yoga” class.
Goof around with children.
Do something silly.
Make time for fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).
For more info:
http://www.cancercenter.com/complementary-alternative-medicine/laughter-therapy.cfm
http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm
Have a Healthy Holiday Season,
David Martin
Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Lotus Blossom Clinic