3 Health Secrets
If you Google the phrase, “health secrets” you come up with all kind of different results: “health secrets of those celebrities who live to 100”, “secrets of Chinese centenarians” and “health secrets from around the world.” It seems like everyone has secrets to good health, but I would like to give you three that have become important in my life.
Laughter
There is the old saying that “Laughter is the best medicine.” However, science is proving that is indeed the case. Science has shown that:
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. This can improve your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.[1]
So take time every day to find something to laugh at. It could be a joke, it could be a funny situation, or it could be yourself because leaders don’t take themselves too seriously. Laugh because your health depends upon it.
Sunshine
This is something that I think we who live in Texas take for granted, because we have bright sunshine most of the time. However, for the 2 ½ years we lived in Michigan I began to understand the importance of sunshine on my health. You see from October to April in Southwest Michigan sunshine is a rare commodity. And so by the time April came, you were longing to see the sun. Counterintuitively, you wanted it to snow because the snow on the ground would reflect the little bit of sunlight that got through the overcast skies. I knew people that had to take Vitamin D supplements, because they were unable to get enough Vitamin D from sunshine. So take advantage of the abundance of sunshine we get to experience in Texas. Sunshine is linked to higher doses of serotonin in the body during the day and melatonin at night. So while taking the proper precautions, go outside and soak in some sunshine. You will be healthier because of it.
Positive thoughts
There is an old Jewish proverb that says, “We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.” As human beings perception is reality in many cases. So I must ask, “How do you look at life?” Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Did you know that the answer to that question can affect your health? Studies have shown that those who have a positive outlook on life tend to live longer than pessimists.[2] How do you know what you are, other than asking your wife or significant other? “Optimists count their blessings. Pessimists count their burdens.”[3] While I will admit that life can sometimes be difficult, facing life with a positive attitude can not only help you in your mental health, but it can also help in your physical health. One way to do that is every morning before you get out of bed or during the day, just think of 5 things that you are thankful for. They don’t have to be huge blessings (though God does give us many of those), but the small things in life we take for granted. Then notice how different your day will be as you dwell on those blessings and not the burdens. So if you are an optimist, continue to look at the glass not as half full but overflowing. If you are a pessimist, begin to look at the good things that you have been blessed with. Either way, your physical health will thank you.
Three secrets to good heath which can make a huge difference in your life, and if practiced could add quality years to your life so you can continue to fulfill the purpose that God created you for.
Conversation:
Which of the “3 secrets” do you have the hardest time implementing in your life? Why?
[1]http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
[2]Creation Health: God’s 8 Principles for Living Life to the Fullest. Seminar Personal Study Guide, 190.