Laugh. It's good for you.

In one recent study, Dr. Michael Miller of the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that watching a funny movie for 15 minutes relaxed people's peripheral arteries and increased blood flow for as long as 45 minutes afterward—comparable to the effect of aerobic exercise. He now recommends 15 minutes of hearty laughter daily—chuckling, giggling and smiling haven't been studied yet—as part of a healthy lifestyle.

- from a Newsweek article on pyschological affects on heart disease.

Or is that heart dis-ease? Lack of comfort with one's self, life, or work? I know this sounds rather woo-woo. But. Our emotions result in and are the result of our body chemicals. Why wouldn't adrenalin, hormones, cortisol, and so on have affects on our health?

gaaneden noted yesterday, "It is ironic how the cure to so many common ills seems to be: Eat well and exercise." It's not only ironic, it seems counter-intuitive. A life with exercise, laughter, eating well, and time with loved ones seems like it would be a GOOD life. Heck, it would be a survival trait. And yet, for many of us, we don't do it. Why not? Is it the worship of adventure & excitement? Do we think, "Han Solo didn't do pushups in hyperspace, Indiana Jones didn't do sit-ups, I shouldn't need to either?" Is time for self-care too much of a luxury? What?