Your prescription: Laughter

Most people can honestly say after a good laugh they feel dramatically better. This is true and there is proof of the power of laughter due to a five year study conducted in the UK.

A five year study was conducted in the United Kingdom on patients who suffer with leg ulcers, primarily elderly people. The leg ulcers cause significant discomfort and pain due to the lack of circulation. Symptoms of patients who live with leg ulcers are;

• Stinging leg pain
• Redness
• Swollen areas
• Discolored skin
• Hardened skin
• Itching
• Eczema
• Aching

There are ultra sound technologies that are offered to people with leg ulcers but the study showed that these technologies did not have any significant impact on improving leg ulcers. Regular traditional nursing home care showed to be helpful in healing the leg ulcers conditions. Most of all the patients who had opportunities to enjoy a good giggle or playful banter saw increased circulation in their bodies especially the legs which dramatically improved their leg ulcers.

Laughter really is a prime prescription for leg ulcer patients and all patients that need increased circulation in their body.

The act of laughing relieves physical tension and reduces stress leaving muscles feeling more relaxed for up to an hour after laughing. Laughing can improve your immune system because it will decrease stress hormones and increase immune cell development. Laughter and endorphins are best friends so laughing will leave you feeling happier, more energetic and optimistic. Laughter increases heart functionality, blood flow and of course circulation.

Whether you suffer with leg ulcers as those in the study or not, adding a healthy hour of laughter to your daily schedule can only improve your health. There are many ways to get a fill of laughter;

• Watch a comedy
• Watch or listen to a comedian
• Call a funny friend
• Read entertaining blogs and books
• Read the comics on the back of the newspaper
• If something funny happens to you share it with someone else and have a good laugh

Just remember that being merely entertained is not sufficient you need to have an out loud belly laugh to gain the full health benefits.