My neighbor Annie and I went for a ski today, Ruby Dell followed along and brought up the rear... I can't help but think that exercise plus the giggling of three girls (um grown women) on the trail brought back the feeling of being on the playground! Could it be that the endorphins from skiing plus laughter create a synergistic effect?
"The old saying that 'laughter is the best medicine,' definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Michael Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Miller's studies have concluded that not only does laughter benefit the body by releasing stress, it also increases oxygen and blood flow, actually strengthening the heart as well.
"The ability to laugh -- either naturally or as learned behavior may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer," says Dr. Miller. "We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list." Dr. Miller says it may be possible to incorporate laugher into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/laughter.htm
So, ski ski ski ladies, and giggle while you do it. Your heart will thank you!
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