In May, we look forward to the Fashion Show and Basket raffle. After the October basket raffle was disrupted by Milton, we decided to move the basket raffle to the spring before hurricane season. May is also the time we say “until we meet again” … Auf Wiedersehen, au revoir, Adiós, arriverdierci, etc. to friends who escape to cooler climates through travel or to fly to northern homes! Please remember to return for the Fall Fashion Show and Gift Card raffle on October 16!
On a lighter note: World Laughter Day, celebrated on the first Sunday in May, highlights the
positive effect that deep laughter can have on us. Started in India in 1998, Dr Madan Kataria wanted to test the idea that laughter is good for our health. This day is celebrated by groups of people meeting and laughing in public, their aim is "health, happiness and world peace through laughter". Laughing in a group is a great way to bond with others. Sharing a joke can reduce tensions and disrupt antagonistic feelings. Try it! The body cannot distinguish between being happy or acting happy, so when in doubt… laugh which can lead to really feeling happy! All cultures express laughter and babies laugh long before they speak. Even babies who are deaf or blind can laugh. Note: Peekaboo is a global crowd-pleaser. Laughter helps create social bonds to connect people. Studies show that we are 30% more likely to laugh at something in a group. Children ages 2 and a half through 4 were eight times more likely to laugh at a cartoon when they watched it with another child. Research shows children laugh about 400 times a day, but adults only 15 times.
The phrase “laughter is the best medicine” is definitely true! The health benefits of laughter include: lowering blood pressure, reduction of stress and boosting the immune system. It increases your oxygen intake, to stimulate your heart, lungs, and muscles. Laughing releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals our bodies produce to make us feel happy and relieve pain or stress. The act of increasing and then decreasing our heart rate and blood pressure through laughter is also ultimately calming and tension-relieving. Laughter can even boost our immune system response through the release of stress-and illness-reducing chemicals. Laughter works your abs and burns calories, for 10 to 15 minutes a day, you can burn about 40 calories. I wonder, can it help you with the elusive 6 pack?
Life is better with a bit of humor. Laughter keeps us sane and happy, and this is the day to celebrate the gift of laughter. When we laugh, it gives us a sense of belonging! Finally, remember to laugh at yourself. Look at all the crazy rules or habits that may be quirky and laugh at what seems ludicrous! Let go of those that are too stressful.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Charlie Chaplin.