Given the sorry state of the Union, I felt I needed to write
something positive this week. So, I dipped into my vast reservoir
of wisdom to share with my female readers the “five secrets for a
great relationship with a man.”
First, it is important to find a man who has a job, works around
the house and occasionally cooks. Next, it is imperative to find a
man who makes you laugh.
The third secret is to find a man who is dependable and doesn’t
lie. Fourthly, it is important to find a man who is romantic,
passionate and great in bed.
And finally, it is important that these four men never meet!
Ever wonder why something is funny or exactly what goes on when
you laugh?
The act of laughing seems quite natural but the funny thing is
that humans are the only species that laughs. It turns out that
laughter is actually a complex response that involves numerous
areas of the brain and uses many of the same skills required in
problem solving.
Laughter is the physiological response to humor and it consists
of two parts — a set of gestures and the production of a sound.
When we laugh the brain pressures us to conduct both those
activities simultaneously.
Fifteen facial muscles contract, the respiratory system is
disrupted making you gasp for air and — in extreme circumstances —
the tear ducts are activated. The noises that usually accompany
this bizarre behavior range from sedate giggles to boisterous
guffaws.
Believe it or not, there is a significant amount of research
being conducted on laughter and the activity it elicits in the
brain. The physiological study of laughter is known as gelotology
and is done mostly by behavioral neurobiologists.
The driving motive for the research is the belief that, if we
were able to unravel the mystery of laughter, we would gain
tremendous insight into the workings of the human brain.
Many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related
to making and strengthening human bonds. Laughter occurs when
people are comfortable and open with each other. The more laughter
there is, the more bonding occurs within the group.
Some scientists believe that laughter is a social signal. Recent
studies seem to confirm this theory proving that people are 30
times more likely to laugh in a social setting than when they are
alone.
There are three theories about what we find humorous. The
incongruity theory suggests that humor arises when logic and
familiarity are replaced by things that don’t normally go together.
In other words, a joke becomes funny when we expect one outcome and
another happens.
The superiority theory contends that we laugh at jokes that
focus on someone else’s mistakes, stupidity or misfortune and the
relief theory suggests we use laughter to reduce tension or
suspense.
Why is laughter so important? We’ve long known that laughter is
helpful in coping with major illnesses and with the stress of
everyday life. Today, however, researchers are demonstrating that
laughter can actually boost the body’s immune system, thereby
helping fight off diseases.
If that’s not reason enough to chuckle, other studies estimate
that laughing 100 times is equal to 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
In fact, laughing can stimulate your diaphragm, abdominal, facial,
leg and back muscles resulting in a total-body workout.
Here’s an idea: forget about the state of the Union and laugh
yourself into shape.
Cord Prettyman is a certified Master Personal Trainer and the
owner of Absolute Workout Fitness and Post-Re-hab Studio in
Woodland Park. He can be reached at 719-687-7437 or at cordprettyman@msn.com