Attitude
The wisest man that ever lived (King Solomom) had this to say about attitude – “a joyful heart is good medicine.”
We can either make ourselves miserable, or we can make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same (Carlos Castenada). We the attitude we will adopt. Our attitude determines life’s outcomes. Charles Swindoll states “I’m convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
You can either perceive your glass to be half full or half empty
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Winston Churchill said “the pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
One study found that subjects diagnosed with cardiovascular disease who had a positive attitude had a higher survival rate than subjects with low optimism.
“Our attitude influences our health and impacts progression of disease. Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health, and is as friendly to the mind as to the body” (Joseph Addison).
Laughter & Health
A Swedish proverb states, a good laugh makes you healthy. Shakespeare noted that mirth and merriment … bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.
Various studies have found that laughter benefits the body in several ways. Laughter is associated with positive emotions which contribute to psychological and physical well-being through effective coping (Tugede et al., 2004). Laughter has also been reported to improve immune system functioning (Mahoney et al., 2002). Other studies have noted increased natural killer cell activity in the blood in association with laughter (Takahashi et al., 2001 & Berk et al., 2001).
Laughter reduces stress hormone, pain, and blood pressure while improving mood and enhancing creativity (Hassard, 2001). Laughter also provides physical relief for accumulated tension (Wooten, 1996).
Most children smile and laugh up to 600 times per day (Vigil, 2006). Attitude is a matter of choice. Don’t worry, be happy. Smile!
