Laughter

The science of laughter

Patricia Conte — Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

You know what they say is the best medicine. Check out some fun facts you might not have known about laughter!

The health benefits of laughter

Kori Ellis — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:13:00 -0700

Laughter really is the world's best medicine. Laughter can reduce stress, boost your energy level and strengthen your immune system. Read on to learn more about the many health benefits of laughter.

The science of thought: How changing your thoughts can change your health

Elaina Verhoff — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:15:00 -0700

We’ve all heard about the power of positive thinking, but can changing your thoughts really impact your health? Can you wipe out anxiety and stress, or even pain and disease, by focusing on the mind-body connection? Recent scientific studies show that our thoughts -- both positive and negative -- have a profound effect on our wellness. Here are some exercises to harness the power of thought to improve your wellbeing.

Laugh together more often

Laura Williams, M.S.Ed. — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:51:00 -0800

Laughter is a fantastic way to develop relationships and create bonds within your family. When everyone's off doing their own things, though, the laughter might fade a bit. Use these tips to find the fun again and laugh together more often.

When not to use humor with your child

Jen Klein — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:15:00 -0700

You’re a fun mom, a funny mom, a silly mom with an infectious laugh. You are expert at using humor to diffuse tense situations with your kids and create a happy home. You have worked hard to help your children develop a good sense of humor, a tool that will help them in life. But guess what? There are times when humor is not appropriate. There are times when you should most definitely not use humor in your parenting.

The healing power of laughter

Jen Klein — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:07:00 -0700

We all know the adage “laughter is the best medicine.” In situations of illness, injury and emotional hurts, carefully applied humor can help manage the stress and start the psyche at least on a healing path. It’s a simple and complex topic all at once, obvious and subtle. And when trying to help your kids develop appropriate senses of humor, this is a key point you want to make and reiterate -- and use.

Monday Mom challenge: Laugh

Jen Klein — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:30:00 -0700

No doubt about it, being a mom is serious business. There’s so much responsibility, so much to worry about, so much to do that it can feel hard to find the fun in the daily grind. Oh, but how much it eases your mood when you find yourself making funny faces with your little one! Buy into that, cherish that -- make time for that every day. Every day, make time and find ways to laugh.

How to give your child the gift of humor

Jen Klein — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:33:00 -0700

Most of us hope our children will grow up with a good sense of humor to help them cope with life. But how do you do that? Children aren’t born with fully developed senses of humor, even if they do have distinct personalities from the start. Kids learn humor and the depth of that sense of humor evolves over time. How do you begin instill a sense of humor in your child? Start with simple laughter.

10 Health tips for men

Michele Borboa, MS — Sun, 22 May 2011 16:30:00 -0700

Father’s Day isn’t the only day of the year to think about the men – dad, granddad, brother, husband, son – in our lives, but it is a perfect opportunity to tell them how much we love them and want them to live a long, happy, healthy life. Let Father’s Day be the open door to have a heart-to-heart with your male loved ones about their health. Here are 10 health tips for men you can share with them.

7 Best ways to bust stress

Dr. Claudia Welch — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:06:00 -0700

Fast, ambitious lives can cause anxiety that becomes as much a part of our daily rhythms as our work and lattes. Whenever we are stressed, our bodies respond by releasing stress hormones, including cortisol, that can stay in circulation for days. This can lead to many serious health problems, like increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, menstrual problems, infertility, stroke and cancer. Here are seven fun things you can do to decrease your stress and better your health.

Best April Fools' pranks

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:00 -0700

Whether you're on the alert to avoid April Fools' Day pranks or planning your best April Fools' Day attack, we took a look back through history to find the best April Fools' Day pranks. Clever enough to incite public response – sometimes even panic – these top April Fools' jokes will make you wonder how you, too, can pull such pranks -- though we aren’t necessarily recommending you try!

Best April Fools' Day pranks for kids

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:34:00 -0700

Though laughter can be shared with family members every day, April Fools' Day is a great way to celebrate the benefits of mirth. Laughing not only brings people closer, it’s good for your health, too! Here are a few family-friendly April Fools' Day jokes that will teach your kids the fun that comes with good-natured pranks.

Jokes for April Fools' Day

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:13:00 -0700

Whoopee cushions, gum that turns your mouth inky and handshake buzzers are certainly great April Fools' Day props, but you can be creative and put one over on your family, friends and workmates with everyday items in your house. Here are a few fun jokes for April Fools' Day.

10 Surprising things that are good for your heart

Lisa Armstrong — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:59:00 -0800

Exercise and a balanced diet are well-known factors that improve heart health, but there are many other lifestyle factors that can reduce your risk of heart disease. Some may even surprise you! Here are 10 things you can do for a healthy heart.

Mind-body connection: The psychology of healing

Laura Carson Miller — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:19:00 -0800

What does being healed mean to you? How much does the mind truly affect your ability to recover after an illness, undergoing surgery or suffering a loss? The mind-body connection has been studied and documented for many years. Research shows that a correlation between the desire to heal and actual healing exists -- and can be enhanced if the mind is engaged in a positive way toward that goal. Here’s more on how you can use your mind to heal your body.

Funniest dad videos

Molly Cerreta Smith — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:58:00 -0700

Dads are always good for a laugh. No matter how old you are, sharing a laugh with your father is an important element of your relationship. Meet 12 dads who are willing to totally humiliate themselves for the sake of a good chuckle. After all, what are dads for?