Challenge-of-the-Day: Laugh Out Loud!

If you’re a member of the Sonic Boom Wellness program, you’re already familiar with our Challenges-of-the-Day (CODs). If you aren’t a member, CODs are daily dispatches aimed at educating (and entertaining!) our beloved Boomers – inspiring DAILY action to help them lead happier, healthier, more-enriching lives. And now that we’re getting our blog on, we’d like to share a small preview of those challenges with YOU, so you (and your loved ones) can do the same… Enjoy!

We all love a good laugh. Whether we’re watching our favorite primetime sitcom or reminiscing about the past with a childhood friend, there’s nothing that soothes the soul like a big ol’ belly laugh.

Taking life too seriously (typically because of stressors at work, in our relationships, and/or our finances) can take a toll on our health over time. But, by actively seeking out more opportunities for fun and laughter, we can do more than “just” have a good time – we can actually improve our emotional health, strengthen our relationships, and live happier (and longer!) lives.

Today’s Challenge

Laugh out loud! Not sure how to start? Try some (or all!) of these:

• Host an impromptu joke challenge! Gather some friends, family, or coworkers and swap hilarious stories, funny videos, or your favorite jokes (keep ‘em work-appropriate if swapping with coworkers, please)! Whoever makes the group laugh the most, wins!
• Don’t have time to get the gang together? Laugh out loud on your own! Think of a funny memory, watch a silly video, or read a goofy story – you’ll be amazed at how a short burst of laughter can brighten your day.
• Just start laughing. Seriously – force out a big-fake belly laugh, and keep it going until it turns into a real one. Surprisingly, it should only take a few seconds of faking it before you’re hootin’ and hollerin’ for real. (You may want to try this one in your car, though – or in the comfort and privacy of your home. But if you’re brave, laugh it up out in the open!)

The healthy perks of honest-to-goodness laughter

Laughter isn’t just good for the soul – it’s beneficial for the body, too!

Chuckles, chortles, giggles, and yuks can all yield a full-body workout. In addition to improving your mood, laughter offers a bounty of body-boosting benefits, including:

• Lowered blood pressure
• Increased blood flow
• Strengthened diaphragm and abdominals
• Strengthened facial, leg, and back muscles
• Heightened response of disease-killing cells
• Boosted memory and learning ability
• Improved alertness
• Improved creativity
• …the list goes on and on!

Don’t let the stresses of life get ya’ down – laugh out loud about something funny and turn your day around!