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Newsletter, December 2004
Winner of Free Massage:
Congratulation to Pat Everatt of Okanagan
Essences.
She is December's winner of a Free Massage Gift Certificate.
Past winners include Lynda Millard, Kathleen
McMurray, Karen Close of Yinward
Bound, Shelly Vida, Marie Dick, Jim Csek of Dot
Com Media, Scott Simpson, Sher Alcock of Sunshine
Farms, Kelly Christiansen, Bev Banks, Lynn Engelsjord, Pat Kimmitt
of Kimmitt
and Company, Helga Smith, Paula Morrison, Kara Sandercott and Laveryne
Green of Apples and Angels B&B.
*Remember if you've entered our draw, your name
will be included every month.
If you haven't entered, please click
here.
December's Health Tip - Laugh for Health
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How many health practitioners does it take to change a lightbulb? One, but the lightbulb has to want to change. If this made you laugh (or even smile a little) you may have just boosted your immune system, lowered your blood pressure, reduced stress hormones and released pain killing endorphins into your body. |
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We are naturally born with a sense of humour. As children we laugh up to 400 times a day. On the other hand the average adult only laughs 15 to 17 times a day. Somewhere along the line we've become very very serious. Some might think this is a good thing, professing that life is not to be taken lightly. What is interesting however, is that if you are serious about what "really" matters (community, family, health, prosperity etc.) then a sense of humour may be a life ingredient that you won't want to pass up on. Having a sense of humour may be good for your health, your relationships and your finances. Lack of a good sense of humour may be a warning sign of an inner imbalance. |
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The word "humour" comes from the Latin "umere" and means "liquid" "fluid" or "moisture". The Ancient Greeks believed that our temperament was subject to four liquids (humours). An imbalance of any of these would produce moods, irritability or "bad humour". Laughter was often prescribed as an antidote and in time the person who did the prescribing was called a "humourist". In other words, in those days your doctor was the joker who made you laugh. Those Greeks sure had a good sense of humour. For one thing they even had their very own god of laughter, some guy by the name of Momus (moe-moose). Now that's funny.
Of course today we live in different times. We're more sophisticated, we got rid of our gods and as we all know going to the doctor is no laughing matter. We also seem to have lost touch with some of our basic instincts and our common sense. The benefits of a developed sense of humour should be self-evident but our logical left brain likes to be reassured by science. So we have countless "scientific studies" that are being done on the subject and they're all coming up with the same conclusion - "laughing is a good thing." In our halls of academia, our hospitals and our places of business, the benefits of having a good laugh are being rediscovered. Books, seminars, workshops and even clubs are springing up everywhere with encouragement to laugh more, instructions on how to laugh and reasons why we should laugh.
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That, in itself gives me a chuckle, but what's really funny is that now there are some rumblings of dissent. Some researchers are coming out and challenging the positive findings on the benefits of laughter. Who knows, maybe someone will do a study to disprove that a good sense of humour has any benefit. Can you imagine being one of the researchers in such a study? After working all day, you come home at night and your daughter wants to know what you did at work. Sheepishly you reply, "Oh mommy was busy trying to prove that laughing is a total waste of time." Now that's funny!
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Seriously though, I have to confess that my left brain is fascinated by some of the findings that are coming out. As a massage body worker, I encounter a lot of people suffering from stress. The inability to cope with stress can have some nasty repercussions. Debilitating stress can lead to muscle knotting, armouring and fatigue. It can activate negative emotions and lead to depression. Trying to adapt to stress can cause us to suffer a lot of physical and emotional wear and tear. Finding ways of dealing with stress is of real importance to me, so to discover laughter as a free, natural and playful antidote is absolutely delightful.
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Laughter increases natural pain killers in our bodies, which in turn reduces stress. Laughter is being shown to cause a decrease in stress hormones. These can constrict blood vessels and adversely effect your cardiovascular system, so laughter is good for the heart. The stress reducing qualities of laughter have a positive effect on our immune system. Laughter causes muscles to relax and is a great workout for the diaphragm, thereby increasing our intake of oxygen which in turn reduces stress.
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It's good to remember that stress is not only a result of our external circumstances but has a lot to do with our perceptions and moods. A sense of humour can empower us by both helping with the way we perceive a problem and helping us gain some objectivity. Usually a sense of humour will show us that we are not being "singled" out for misery but are in fact experiencing difficulties and challenges common to all human beings. Humour can soften the impact of and sometime give meaning to our setbacks. It can also help us see our connection to the rest of humanity.
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Benefits of Laughter:To summarise, here are some areas where the beneficial effects of laughter and a good sense of humour are being studied.
Web Sites of Interest:Navigate to some of the following web sites to find out more about laughter and having a sense of humour.
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In Conclusion:As mentioned at the start of this health tip, children love to laugh. Laughing is a natural, free and beneficial expression of being human. Laughter has no adverse side effects, so we can't overdose from laughing too much. Laughter is a joy, a pleasure and a delight. The ability to laugh and to express our sense of humour helps us face our divers life situations and difficulties. It is an essential human quality, well worth embracing.
A Reminder:
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Did you find this health tip useful? Do you have a personal story or anecdote to share? We'd love to hear from you. Your response may be posted (with permission) in a future issue.
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Lifestyle Choice:
Always taking ourselves too seriously may be a warning sign calling for our attention. No matter how grave the situation, humour can always be invited in and allowed to help soften the blow. By choosing to open the door to humour we may even be surprised by some new insight into our "problem" that up until now has eluded us. Opening our minds and our hearts in knowledge that there are many sides to any situation, gives us a chance to "catch" possible solutions waiting in the wings. A willingness to both face our problems and to see the lighter side of things is always a positive choice and an option well worth entertaining.
Quote:
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"...The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that’s laughter. The moment it arises, all our hardness yields, all our irritations slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place..." |
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"...I feel as though I've been lost and bewildered most of my life. Like the time I bought a wastepaper basket and I carried it home in a paper bag. And when I got home, I put the paper bag in the wastepaper basket..." |
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Let's Go: 
This section features suggestions for places to go in the Kelowna area where you can "let go" and have a bit of fun. Its purpose is to encourage your support of "local" Kelowna area events and enterprises.
The Caravan Farm Theatre - ArmstrongThe Caravan Farm Theatre has been active since 1978. It is located about an hours drive from Kelowna. Being such a unique attraction makes it well worth the drive. The Caravan Farm Theatre is probably one of the most stunningly original and powerful live entertainment experience being offered in the Okanagan Valley today. The magical combination of a great outdoor setting, music, theatrical performance and horse drawn wagons makes this a must-see Christmas event for the whole family. As their web site states, "All Caravan Farm Theatre productions feature spectacular live music and stunning design that take full advantage of the open air setting - often incorporating audience movement, mask, horses and cars in a blend of spectacle, modern drama and good old fashion storytelling."
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Their Winter Season production is due to start on December the 14th. 2004 and lasts till January 2, 2005. This year's "A Night in the Woods" features six teams of horses and is set on 80 acres of pasture, forest and field. Show times are at 4, 6 and 8 PM with no shows on December 19th, 24th and 25th or January 1st. Prices are $25 for Adults, $18 for Students and Seniors, and $12 for Children 12 and under, plus GST. They've told me that some show times are already sold out, so phone as early as possible if you plan to attend. |
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Directions to The Caravan Farm Theatre:1) From Kelowna, head north on Highway
97 past Vernon. 4) Turn east (right) after 2 kilometres
at Salmon Junction Store.
If you are not coming from Kelowna, click here for directions or on map below for a larger version.
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The Caravan Farm Theatre Contact Information:Caravan Farm Theatre Click
for Directions
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Newsletter Special:
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Net Gems:
This section
of the newsletter, features locations of interest on the World Wide Web.
If you were asked what Canada's first public broadcaster was, would you answer CBC? That would have been my answer, but in fact CKUA Radio Network holds that special distinction. CKUA also holds the distinction of being the first radio station in Canada to go on-line. Founded almost 80 years ago in 1927, CKUA has grown from a one room radio station on the campus of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, to a full fledged radio and Internet broadcast network with a weekly audience of 160,000 enthusiastic listeners.
CKUA programming offers a wide and diverse variety of music often ignored by commercial stations. From Jazz to Celtic and from Classical to Alternative, CKUA delivers quality and intelligent programming. And of course with its robust internet presence, you don't have to live in Alberta to enjoy their selection.
Visit their site and listen live by clicking the "Live On Air" link.
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