Month: July 2020

Laughter is Medicine

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Laughter is the outward physical expression of humor, joy and delight. And, it’s more than that. There is a strong correlation between laughter and happiness and health.

In the 1300s Henri de Mondeville, professor of surgery, encouraged post operative therapy that consisted of laughter producing humor. And Norman Cousins, a professor and journalist, developed his own mood elevating treatment based on daily laughter. Ten minutes of laughter a day, he claimed, resulted in two hours of pain free sleep.

Laughter is medicine. Experiencing giggles, chuckles and belly laughs heals the body and promotes overall health in amazing ways.

Laughter is Medicine title meme

What Happens in the Body When You Laugh

All kinds of things make us laugh. A funny movie, a silly joke, our pet’s crazy antics or a child’s cute mispronounciation of a word gives us the giggles. Sometimes we laugh from nervousness, relief or even fear. Whatever the cause, during a bout of laughter the human body experiences changes.

A wave of electrical energy sweeps through the cerebral cortex. One side of the brain processes language or sights while the other side tries to make sense of what caused the laughter. We may reach a heightened emotional state that can produce tears. And we get a boost of happiness from the release of endorphins in the brain.

Fifteen muscles in the face contract during laughter. Just hearing someone laugh makes our facial muscles begin to contract, creating a contagious response.

Extended laughter makes the muscles relax and even weaken. The respiratory system responds by half closing off the larynx, resulting in gasps for air, a red face and sometimes that pig snorting sound! Extreme laughter can even cause fainting, as one of my sisters discovered.

Contracting muscles in the abdomen can even make you pee yourself as you laugh.

Laughter is Medicine inside joke
Laughter is Medicine – Greg and I got the giggles at a museum while trying to take a selfie

The Benefits of Laughter

Laughter truly is the best medicine, playing a major role in creating better health. (Read about six other simple health practices with big results HERE.)

Check out these amazing health boosters that laughter provides.

Strengthens the Immune System

Laughter, along with getting plenty of rest and vitamin D producing sunshine, strengthens the immune system. People who laugh often reduce stress related hormones in the body while increasing the number of T cells and natural killer cells, two things that help the body stay strong and healthy.

Gives the Body a Mini Workout

There’s a reason your abs feel sore after a good laugh. Laughter increases heart and respiration rates while causing muscles in the abdomen to contract. These mini workouts caused by laughter are similar to a short burst of aerobic exercise. Additionally, laughing for 10 to 15 minutes burns up to 40 calories during those big belly laughs.

Laughter is Medicine belly laugh
Laughter is Medicine – belly laughs are actually good for the belly

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

The giggles instantly lowers the body’s stress response and releases tension held in the muscles. Plus it plays a significant role in decreasing anxiety due to the release of the feel good hormones, endorphins. Laughter also helps you deal with challenging circumstances such as illnesses, embarrassing situations and life struggles.

Clears the Mind and Improves Focus

We are all familiar with brain fog. Laughter changes the chemistry in the brain, helping you think more clearly. And laughing engages the brain in a way that instantly sharpens focus, boosting productivity. Experiencing a mid afternoon slump? Watch a few minutes of a funny video like this one on YouTube.

Laughter is Medicine funny movie
Laughter is Medicine – watch a funny movie to boost productivity

Increases Blood Flow

Laughter increases blood flow…to the heart, improving cardiovascular health…and throughout the body. Stress narrows the blood vessels, reducing blood flow. Laughing expands them, increasing the flow of oxygen rich blood to vital organs and the extremities. Doctors discovered that leg ulcers healed faster when the patients laughed, due to increased blood flow that lowered inflammation.

Boosts Creativity

Laughter loosens up the mind, creating a relaxed state that makes you feel emotionally secure. That state of relaxation enables creative ideas to surface and flourish. Plus problem solving abilities increase after a good laugh.

Laughter is Medicine giggle laugh
Laughter is Medicine – creativity and problem solving increase

Better Quality of Life for Older Adults

Laughter improves the quality of life for older adults by increasing blood vessel function, relieving stress and anxiety and boosting happiness. Additionally, frequent bouts of laughter improves memory and reduces blood pressure and high cholesterol by increasing oxygen through blood circulation. Laughing increases endorphins and dopamine while reducing stress chemicals in the body. And it helps senior with bronchitis and asthma by exercising the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.

Improves Relationships

Ask people what’s important to them, in their relationship with another, and many answer “a good sense of humor”. Laughter improves personal relationships, so much so that some experts believe that all other health benefits flow from the improved social support that laughter brings. Laughing together forms bonds, deepens connections, emotionally attunes people to one another and crosses language barriers. Laughter can diffuse a tense situation and lighten moods.

Laughter is Medicine birthday laugh
Laughter is Medicine – better quality of life for seniors

Bring More Laughter into Your Life

So how can you laugh more? Try these ideas.

  • smile more, signaling your brain and other people that you are ready to laugh
  • inject humor into conversations by asking if anything funny happened recently
  • tell funny stories and listen to giggle inducing tales from others
  • tell jokes and ask for one in return
  • read funny stories or crack open a joke book
  • watch humorous films and comedy series
  • laugh at yourself, often
  • watch funny videos on YouTube
  • attend a comedy club
  • watch comedians online or on tv
  • try out a laughing yoga class
  • spend time with kids…they are often hilarious
  • play with your pets and allow them to entertain you

Laughter does the heart and body good. It lightens mood, lifts the spirits and because it is contagious, it spreads easily to others, benefiting them too.

My grandchildren make me laugh. Funny movies and happy surprises do too. And sometimes I crack myself up when I’m feeling particularly witty.

What makes you laugh?

Laughter is Medicine laughing in Italy
Laughter is Medicine – my grandson Dayan and I cracking up in Italy

 

Laughter Finds on Amazon:

 


 

Journey With Healthy Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

 

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

Ahhh summertime. It’s the season of playing outdoors, camping and swimming. We take road trips, hike through the woods, frolic at the beach and get away for a fun vacation.

We know being outdoors is good for us…fresh air, vitamin D producing sunshine and peaceful nature…however some of the benefits are lesser known.

Check out these 10 surprising benefits of being outdoors. And then get outside to explore and play and boost your health.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors title meme

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors

This year, with COVID19, stay at home orders and social distancing, getting outside is crucial. Not only is nature a safe environment, when maintaining distance from others and wearing a mask when necessary, it offers the gifts of health, wellness, clarity and well being.

Look at the surprising ways the outdoors heals us.

Improves Focus

Studies reveal that when we lose our ability to concentrate or focus on a task, getting outdoors for a few minutes helps us “clear our heads”. Nature allows the brain to take a break from mentally taxing activities, restoring focus when it’s time to concentrate again. Getting outdoors even improves the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Supports Aging Gracefully

While too much sun can actually age unprotected skin, a recent study found that adults over the age of 70 benefit from time outdoors. Improvements include better sleep, less aches and pains, increased mobility and the ability to perform daily activities more easily.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors Edinburgh park
I’m not over 70 however I’m all for aging gracefully, one of the 10 surprising benefits of being outdoors.

Speeds Up the Healing Process

Sickness, disease and surgery are all conditions that can increase stress in our lives. And stress slows the healing process. Researchers discovered that patients who spent time outdoors during recovery required fewer pain meds. Additionally, they had fewer complications and experienced shorter hospital stays.

Reduces Inflammation

Connected to speeding up the healing process is the fact that being outdoors helps to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is linked to a host of health issues, from autoimmune disorders to depression to cancer. Studies show that spending time in green spaces calms the body’s inflammatory response.

For the greatest benefits, spend time in green spaces such as forests, meadows, parks and gardens, anywhere there’s an abundance of trees, grass and plants.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors bridge
10 surprising benefits of being outdoors – walking in the woods to reduce inflammation

Boosts Immunity

We’ve learned just how important a strong immune system is, for fighting off viruses and infections. If you frequently catch what’s going around, spending time outdoors can help.

Trees and plants are especially beneficial for the immune system. Plants produce phytoncides that increase the production of a type of white blood cell in humans. These so called killer cells respond quickly to pathogens invading the body. Plus exposure to sunlight strengthens infection fighting T cells.

Sparks Creativity

Did you know that spending time outdoors can spark creativity? The best ideas come to us when we are relaxed and a bit unfocused. See my post on why showering creates the perfect environment for creative ideas.

Unplugging from the laptop or cell phone and taking a walk outside gives the mind a break, which allows a flow of fresh ideas to arise.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors creativity
Giving the brain a break and enjoying the beauty of nature allows creativity to flow.

Relieves Stress, Anxiety and Depression

One of the best ways to relieve stress, anxiety and depression is spending time outdoors. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the Japanese practice of connecting with nature through the senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.

So how does forest bathing improve mental health? Spending time in nature lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. We need cortisol, for optimal health, however chronic elevated levels create health issues including anxiety, depression, memory and concentration problems and sleep disorders.

May Help Prevent Cancer

Research on this topic is ongoing, however, preliminary studies suggest that spending time in nature, especially forests, stimulates the production of anti-cancer proteins.

This boost in proteins last up to seven days after walking in the woods. Additionally, researchers found that areas with greater forest coverage have lower mortality rates from a broad range of cancers. This is a promising area of exploration.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors walk in the woods
A walk in the woods can help prevent cancer, one of 10 surprising benefits of being outdoors

Boosts Energy

When we feel like we need an energy boost, we often reach for a cup of coffee or a sugary soda. Instead of loading up on caffeine trying getting outside.

One study even suggests that spending 20 minutes outside boosts the brain and energy levels as much as a cup of coffee. Another study found that when participants simply looked at photos of nature, their energy levels surged upward. Pictures of cities did not have the same effect. Skip the pretty photos though, if possible, and step out into the fresh air.

Increasing Life Satisfaction

Getting outside has a positive effect on mood. More than that though, a recent study found that men and women who spent just 20 minutes outdoors in a park increased their level of life satisfaction by 64%!

Participants didn’t even have to exercise. Simply visiting the park boosted overall feelings of well being. Sitting on a park bench, strolling through a garden, having a picnic on a green expanse of grass is the ideal way to give spirits a lift.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors - park bench
Increased satisfaction with life is one of 10 surprising benefits of being outdoors.

Go Outside

As a child, I spent most of my summer outdoors. I swam, climbed trees, rode my bike and played a multitude of games with kids in the neighborhood. We ate lunch and often dinner on our porches and didn’t go inside until our parents called for us after sunset.

Today, kids spend an average of four to seven minutes a day outside. And adults spend 87% of their time indoors.

It’s no wonder our health suffers.

These are easy ways to boost health and well being. Get outside. Visit the park, hike through the woods, swim in the lake, meditate on the beach, plant flowers in a garden. Although activity outdoors is beneficial too, the simple act of being outdoors contributes mightily to our overall health.

Do you have a green space that you enjoy? I’d love to hear about it.

10 Surprising Benefits of Being Outdoors stream
10 surprising benefits of being outdoors – find a green space to enjoy

 

 

Enjoy the outdoors with these Amazon finds:


 

Journey With Healthy Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

 

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

July is National Blueberry Month and the 8th, National Blueberry Day. Summer provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy this seasonal fruit. Thankfully, however, frozen blueberries allow us to benefit from their goodness year around.

Wild blueberries, especially, offer amazing health benefits. Check out how they boost health and support wellness here. My dad introduced me to blueberries while I was still a toddler. He loved blueberry pie and cobbler. I’m grateful that I grew up appreciating this dark blue berry.

After embracing a plant based lifestyle, I discovered it’s not only simple to include blueberries in my diet, it is extremely desirable!

Check out these easy recipes for National Blueberry Day and enjoy summer’s bounty!

Recipes for National Blueberry Day title meme

Easy Ways to Include Blueberries

Before sharing links to recipes, consider these simple ways to add blueberries to your diet.

  • add fresh or frozen berries to smoothies and smoothie bowls
  • top pancakes or waffles with blueberries
  • use as a dessert topping, such as for vegan wacky cupcakes
  • mix fresh or frozen blueberries with other berries for a simple fruit bowl
  • my favorite, grab a handful of fresh blueberries to snack on
Recipes for National Blueberry Day pancakes
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – gluten free pancakes with organic maple syrup and fruit

Recipes for National Blueberry Day

Try any of these delicious blueberry recipes in today’s round up. They are all healthy versions of traditional favorites.

Gluten Free and Oil Free Blueberry Mini Bites

These snack sized blueberry muffins are perfect with afternoon tea or to pack along on a picnic. And they are gluten, oil, egg and refined sugar free as well, making them extra healthy.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day mini muffins
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – mini muffins

Raw Wild Blueberry Pie

This wonderful plant based recipe, from Life Changing Foods by Anthony William, is sugar and gluten free, with no baking required. Light, fruity and so satisfying, this pretty pie is perfect for holidays or special occasions.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day pie
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – raw pie

Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread

Do you enjoy banana bread? This one ups the yums by adding wild blueberries. This beautiful loaf is free from gluten, refined sugar, eggs and diary products. However it’s full of flavor. I love a slice of this bread with a cup of herbal tea.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day bread
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – blueberry banana bread

Blueberry Scones

I love scones. They perfectly complement a cup of hot tea. The challenge is finding a vegan recipe that is also gluten free. This recipe is the best one I’ve tried yet, although I’m always on the hunt for more scone recipes.

These blueberry scones are so easy to make, and they are gluten, dairy, refined sugar, egg and oil free. And the taste? They are wonderful and satisfy my desire for a tea time treat.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day scones
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – scones

Healthy Blueberry Crisp

I’m excited to try this recipe from the blog Erin Lives Whole. This blueberry crisp is vegan, gluten free and comes together in just ten minutes. Instead of a traditional crust for the topping, Erin combines oats with almond flour, walnuts, coconut oil and maple syrup.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day crisp
Blueberry crisp – photo from Erin Lives Whole blog.

Triple Layer Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

And one more luscious dessert from Erin Lives Whole. These cheesecake bars, using vegan cream cheese, granola and a chia blueberry jam, look amazing. I am excited to try them as well.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day cheesecake
Triple Layer Blueberry Cheesecake Bars – photo from Erin Lives Whole blog.

Favorite Blueberry Dessert

I love blueberries so much that any dessert featuring these berries is a winner with me. What I love even more are these healthier versions of blueberry desserts that don’t contain unwanted sugar, fat, eggs or dairy products.

I hope you’ll enjoy these special treats. And remember that the whole month of July is for celebrating the blueberry. I’d love to see what you create with these tasty berries.

Recipes for National Blueberry Day smoothie bowl
Recipes for National Blueberry Day – smoothie bowl

 

Baking Finds from Amazon:

 


 

 

Journey With Healthy Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

Vegan Cowboy Beans

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for details.

Since embracing a plant based lifestyle, I’ve looked for a replacement for my mom’s famous Settler Baked Beans. That tasty dish contains bacon, ground beef and brown sugar, all ingredients that I now avoid.

While preparing a round up of vegan one pot meals, I came across this recipe for vegan cowboy beans by Contentedness Cooking. Check out the original recipe HERE.

I adapted the recipe slightly. That’s one of the pluses of this simple recipe, it is easy to create your own unique dish based on preferences and what you have on hand.

Vegan Cowboy Beans title meme

Vegan Cowboy Beans

I love that this recipe comes together in minutes, using canned beans and pantry staples. And all the ingredients go into one pot for easy prep, cooking and cleanup.

The original recipe called for homemade barbecue sauce. I’d love to make my own soon. However, to keep it simple and quick this evening, I picked up sugar free classic barbecue sauce at Natural Grocers. I also grabbed several cans of organic beans there too along with a can of organic tomato sauce.

Any canned beans are fine. Use what you have or get creative and mix things up. I chose great northern beans, black eyed peas and a blend of pinto, kidney and black beans.

Vegan Cowboy Beans ingredients
Ingredients for Vegan Cowboy Beans

Vegan Cowboy Beans Recipe

Vegan Cowboy Beans

This savory bean dish is full of flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 6 cups mixed beans, drained and cooked
  • 1/4 cup sugar free barbecue sauce
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pan, saute onion and green bell pepper in olive oil. Cook until veggies soften, about five minutes.
  • Add beans, barbecue sauce and tomato sauce. Stir well. Add ground mustard and garlic powder.
  • Bring beans just to boil, over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.
Keyword Cowboy Beans, Vegan

 

 

Vegan Cowboy Beans simmering
Vegan Cowboy Beans simmering.

Enjoying This Flavorful Dish

By the time I cleaned up my prep area and washed the few dishes I dirtied, the beans were done.

What a delicious and quick meal. And how versatile. The barbecue sauce I selected added a bit of a kick, which I loved. Substitute any style and flavor of barbecue sauce. And swap out the teaspoon of ground mustard for a tablespoon of prepared mustard, if desired. Or used minced garlic instead of garlic powder.

I enjoy including chopped green bell peppers. Use your favorite vegetables. Plus, any combination of beans may be used.

I enjoyed these vegan cowboy beans! They are perfect for a backyard cookout or to tote along to a family potluck dinner. If you intend to share with others, the recipe is easily doubled.

That’s what I’ll do when I cook up my next pot of cowboy beans!

Vegan Cowboy Beans ready to eat
Ready to eat!

Cook with Amazon:

 


 

 

Journey With Healthy Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.