…and From a Smile Comes Laughter

So I got a lot of feedback on the smiling blog and I was happy to learn that you are out there spreading “smile” to those around you.   You are doing wonders for your own health as well as spreading good cheer and good health to others!  Seems like conversation about smiling leads to laughter and that’s a great thing!  Feel free to read comments posted yesterday and add some, as well, to let others know what you are doing to smile or laugh more.  Though smiling and laughing may seem like a “silly” topic on a health blog, in fact…

“It may be possible to incorporate laughter into daily activities, just as is done with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. The recommendation for a healthy heart may one day be exercise, eat right and laugh a few times a day.”
–Michael Miller, MD, F.A.C.C., Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center

Yesterday I mentioned in a comment, that while I smile all the time, laughter comes a little harder for me.  Last night, however, I did find myself laughing aloud while watching Two and Half Men.  Not only does that show make me laugh, but listening to Mitch laugh makes it even funnier.  He has that great ability to let out a good hearty laugh that no doubt lowers his blood pressure and releases a lot of stress from the day.  Today my horoscope, quite ironically, says “Take a deep leap of faith and realize that laughter really is the best medicine.”  Coincidence?  I think there are no coincidences…

To go back for just a moment, I would like to report that I did hear back from my doctor’s office and yes, of course they will change the coding on my colonoscopy so that insurance can cover it at 100% since it’s my baseline screening.  That was actually pretty easy, so I am reminded that we must always advocate for ourselves and it really pays to check on the financial aspect of any procedures or tests BEFORE they happen, as after the fact may be just too late.  I certainly appreciate the doctor’s ability to be flexible and understanding and I will be going for my screening this week.  The good news is I might lose a pound or two in the process.

Time to get ready for Saturday morning class.  If you are joining me for class (I wish you ALL could so anytime you find yourself in the South Florida area I hope you will come be my guest ) let’s try to take our workout seriously while we take ourselves, much less seriously.  And yes, Carolanne, I can hear you laughing from downstairs in the locker room!  I think you should bottle that laughter, it IS infectious!

As I sign off I thought it appropriate to leave you with this…

A woman was hit by a truck. In her dying breath, she was heard to say, “Thank goodness. No more aerobics.”