4.18.2012

Laugh Away Your Stress!


Happy National Stress Awareness Month and National Humor Month!
This April is the 20th year of National Stress Awareness Month, sponsored by The Health Resource Network (HRN)—a non-profit health education organization. During this month, stress experts and other health care professionals collaborate to create awareness about the dangers of stress that are rampant in today’s stressed-out world. Materials on strategies to relief stress are also shared.
Photo Credit: Dreamstime
Consequences of Stress
Stress can result from everyday challenges life that presents us with. However, when stress is managed poorly, it can lead to serious health consequences like anxiety, mood swings, loss of energy, muscle tension, fatigue, headache, high blood pressure, heart disease and more 

Not sure how to relief your stress? Laugh away your stress!

This month also marks the 36th year that National Humor Month is being celebrated.

Photo Credit: The Laughter Workout
Purpose of National Humor Month (NHM)
National Humor Month was founded in 1976 by best-selling humorist Larry Wilde, Director of The Carmel Institute of Humor. He has written over 50 books dealing with humor. The purpose of NHM, according to The National Humor Month website, is “to heighten public awareness on how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one's life.”

Benefits of Humor
Scientific research shows that laughter is healing and combats debilitating stress and burnout. Dr. Madan Kataria, who initiated the first laughter yoga club in India, found that laughter can help relax muscles, lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, increase oxygen levels, and boost your immune system. He views laughter as the “master key” to good health.

Wellesse provides a few easy tips for relieving stress:
  • Try deep breathing, meditation, or praying
  • Laugh - read a joke or think of a funny memory
  • Go for a walk or run - exercise is a great stress reliever
  • Talk to someone about why you are feeling stressed
  • Watch a funny old movie or home videos that makes you laugh
  • Get a massage
Photo Credit: Expatriate Games

More Resources:
Wellesse for more stress relief tips
National Humor Month Website
The Laughter Workout

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