Learn to Laugh!                                                                                                                               

Questions and Answers are cited below as

"Q" and "A"

1. Q: What suggests the foregoing to Plain Talk?

A: A conversation I had on Wednesday, September 28, 2005, with the distinguished mentor of the Tao of Wellness and the Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Washington Boulevard in Venice, CA.

We were reviewing some of the wisdom on Chinese medicine shared at the 2005 Annual Integral Way Society Retreat held at Bosch Conference & Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, CA on September 22-25, 2005.

2. Q: Was your referenced talk with Dr. Maoshing Ni the source for the specific special suggestion on Wednesday, September 28, 2005?

A: Yes. Dr. Mao suggested that longevity could benefit greatly from a habit of at least "fifteen minutes of hearty laughter daily."

3. Q: Have you seen confirmation of that suggestion more recently?

A: Yes.

4. Q: Where and how?

A: In the Newsweek Magazine for October 3, 2005 "Health for Life."

5. Q: Anything more specific?

A: Yes. At p. 54 of Newsweek, October 3, 2005, under main title: "Insight from Harvard Medical School" and in particular, "Fitness and Your Brain," by Steven K. Feske, M.D. The further point is made that: "laughter and optimism may ward off trouble."

The Feske article says:

"Whatever the mechanisms, the take-home lesson is clear: what's good for your heart is good for our brain. So turn off the T.V. and go for a walk with a friend. You'll live longer that wayñand you'll stay sharper too."

6. Q: Anything further?

A: Yes.

In a related Newsweek article by Anne Underwood entitled "The Good Heart" we find that:

"Even laughter is starting to look like a cardiac elixir. In one recent study, Dr. Michael Miller of the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that watching a funny movie for 15 minutes relaxed people's peripheral arteries and increased blood flow for as long as 45 minutes afterwardsñcomparable to the effect of aerobic exercise. He now recommends 15 minutes of hearty laughter dailyñchuckling, giggling and smiling haven't been studied yetñas part of a healthy lifestyle."

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