Busted Biscuits Belly Laugh

By Linda Neiheisel, CPS

“Look here Mister Pillsbury Doughboy, before you act a fool
Gonna fly past the refrigerated section
Get me some Sweet and Low”

I stood in front of the mirror. I couldn’t forget the little boy in the grocery store who drawled that cruel, cold observation, “Mama, that lady looks like a can of busted biscuits.” I burst out laughing at the visual.

Remembering my Intentional Peer Support training, I embraced my crisis as an opportunity. I knew that May 1 was National Laugh Day and I decided to investigate the possibility that, indeed, laughter was good medicine…and even could help with my belly fat.

How can laughing reduce belly fat? Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan, researchers from Loma Linda University in California, have studied the effects of laughter on the immune system. Their study, published in the 1996 issue of The Humor and Health Journal shows that belly laughing reduces the release of the hormones cortisol, norepinephrine, dopamine, growth hormone and triggers the release of endorphins, the bodies natural pain killers, which adds up to a general feeling of well being.

This is good news for those of us who have stress related dense fat in the midsection from the secretion of cortisol and dopamine which leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and diabetes, as well as obesity in general.

So put the deep breathing aside, and try on a good belly laugh for no reason. It is a workout in itself and could help you live longer and even more happily. To make it even easier, I leave you with a few pokes at those of us who need to take ourselves a little less seriously.

How many Certified Peer Specialists does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten—one to hold the bulb and nine to support turning the ladder.

How many Intentional Peer Support Facilitators does it take to change a light bulb?
Ten—one to hold the bulb and nine to negotiate turning the ladder.