THRIVE
The power of viral joy
Sometimes all it takes to
invoke pure joy is to watch someone else in that same state. Whether you see
your friend laughing at a TV commercial or your child uncontrollably giggling
at a dog, these moments will warm your heart, lift your spirits and just for a
moment, make you forget about life's worries.
Joyous laughter is a human experience. It's also good for us. Scientific
studies reveal this kind of
laughter calms cardiovascular stress and produces a state of calm after the convulsive movements accompanying the laugh.
When we perceive joy from others, it can be contagious and
trigger joy in us. We then carry that feeling of joy and are often more likely
to share and connect with others to build social networks.
Plus, smiling and being joyful provide positive health
benefits. Smiling relaxes the facial muscles and calms the nervous system.
Laughing sends more oxygen to the brain and that triggers the release of endorphins, or brain chemicals
that help us feel positive. Laughing can also lower
blood pressure, relieve stress and boost mood.
Next time you're feeling down, think about how you can increase
your capacity for joy every single day—and never underestimate the power of
unadulterated joy. It's beyond infectious.
MORE LIKE THIS
Going Keto? Look at the science first
Posted October 9, 2018
There is very limited research to support keto as a healthy approach to nutrition. There is even less research available on how a keto diet affects your body long term. So, if you're thinking about making a drastic change with the keto diet you may first want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian.
Continue reading