Tag: The Morning Thing

From Boys To Men – The Morning Thing looks at this important transition

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How does a little boy transition through the years into a man?
It helps when lessons are taught by the father.

Rick Johnson from Focus on the Family shares “What Boys Need to Learn to Become Good Men”. Click HERE to read the entire article.

Rick points out the qualities that can help your boy become a good man.

Perseverance – Boys must learn to persevere in the face of adversity now if they are to succeed later during even tougher seasons of life. Perseverance is probably one of the toughest things for moms to teach their boys. It requires them to resist the urge to rescue their sons when they are struggling. Greatness is born by perseverance in the face of adversity. Few things worth doing are ever easy.

Trustworthiness -Talk to your son about what being able to trust someone means to you. If you have trouble trusting due to past experiences, discuss it with him so he can understand how important trustworthiness is and how damaging it can be when violated.

Courage – Teach your son to lead courageously, to stand by his convictions even when they may result in pain, sorrow or negative consequences. Someday he will lead his own family. Fathers are faced with tough decisions every day. The question is, do you want him to lead with courage or cowardice?

Compassion – A man should defend those who cannot defend themselves. Teach your boy early in life the nobility of protecting the weak and helpless.

Self-discipline and self-control – Self-discipline and self-control keep a man from doing things in private that he would never do in public. They are inner strengths a man develops over time with exercise, like a muscle. Typically, if a man lacks self-discipline in one area of his life, he lacks self-control in other areas as well.

How does a boy develop self-discipline and self-control? He develops them by being held accountable for his actions.

Honesty – Let your son know that you expect honesty from him at all times, even when he has made bad choices — then model that behavior yourself. A man w

Dave Willis of http://sixseeds.patheos.com/ shares 7 LESSONS THAT TURN A BOY INTO A MAN.

Click HERE to read the entire article.

1. Fight for what’s right.

Being a man doesn’t mean you have to go around punching people like your in a UFC cage match, but it does mean you must have the courage to take a stand for what’s right. Speak up for the powerless. Defend the weak. Fight for justice for the oppressed. Fight for your family.

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

2. Take responsibility.

Boys run from responsibility; men run towards responsibility. If you’re a grown man living in your parents’ basement and constantly bouncing around between different women and dead-end jobs, you’re not a man. You’re a boy with a beard. Grow up.

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” Proverbs 10:1

3. Provide for your family.

Your wife and your children should know that you would be willing to go hungry to make sure they’re fed.  It’s not the government’s job to feed your family. It’s YOUR job. There’s no shame in assistance when you need it, but you should also be willing to work hard to provide.

“The man who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

4. Control your emotions.

Emotions are a tool given by God and there are healthy and important ways to express them, but don’t be ruled by them. If you don’t learn to master your anger and your emotions, then your anger and emotions will master you.

“Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves.” Proverbs 29:11 

5. Love your wife.

In many ways, your life and legacy will be defined by how you love your wife. Show her you’d be willing to lay down your life for her. Show your boys what it means to love and respect a wife, because they’re learning what marriage means by watching you. For more on this, check out my free video on How to have a stronger marriage.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ” Ephesians 5:25

6. Keep your commitments.

Fulfill your commitments. This is the essence of manhood. Pay your debts, keep your word, and always speak the truth. When you’ve blown it, admit and seek forgiveness. Don’t make your decisions based on your feelings; make your choices based on your commitments.

“Keep an oath even when it hurts.” Psalm 15:4

7. Trust God.

God made you and His plan for your life is the only plan that counts. Don’t be so prideful that you try to do it on your own. Life is meant to be lived in relationship with your Creator. If you’re walking with Him, you’ll always be headed in the right direction!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6

(Picture from Pinterest)

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5 Ways to Share Love with our WORDS!

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It is Valentine’s Day! The Morning Thing today shared an insightful article from www.FaithGateway.com – 5 Ways to Share Love with Our Words.

Click HERE to access the entire article from Jessica Wolstenholm, Author at FaithGateway.
(Jessica is co-founder of Grace for Moms. After 13+ years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home last year to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning more every day about accessing the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, Tennessee, with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).)

Scripture gives us several clear ways we can love others. Let’s start by looking for ways to be an ambassador for Jesus by sharing love with our words.

We can start by adopting these simple habits:

  1. Be an encourager.

    Some people are natural born encouragers. Others have to work hard to remember to pay compliments. Whatever your tendency, make it a point to spread words of affirmation to your loved ones, coworkers, even strangers. I had a waitress the other day go on and on about how much she loved my haircut. She didn’t know I’d been second-guessing my choice for a style. Hearing her encouraging words made my day! And I was reminded that compliments are a powerful way to share love. Try to make it a habit to say one encouraging thing every day to someone you interact with. Start with your spouse, child, coworker or the girl checking you out at the grocery store.

  2. Practice the lost art of written notes.

    I love modern technology and the way it allows us to stay connected so easily. But it will never be as personal and beautiful as a hand-written note. Tuesday February 7th is National Send a Card to a Friend Day (who knew?!). This is the perfect opportunity to practice the lost art of social graces. This weekend, grab a card while you are out and about. Think about a friend or loved one you’d like to surprise with some good ol’ snail mail. Send your card on Tuesday and then make it a goal to send just one hand-written, personal note to someone you love every week (or even once a month would be a good start).

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. — Proverbs 16:24

  1. Focus on the bright side.

    There are a lot of ugly words flying around on social media right now and it’s easy to get caught up in the battles. But what if we made a commitment to be more careful, more intentional with our words? How would that change the verbal climate in our culture? How might that strengthen the world’s view of believers if we led the way in looking for and sharing the good, no matter what? We serve a redemptive God who cares more about these issues than we ever could. He calls us to be a light in the darkness. To spread His love with our words and deeds. When we put our trust in Him and focus on the bright side in the midst of tough times, we pierce the darkness with the light of his love. Try seeking out one good thing every day to share with others via social media or in a conversation over a meal. If that good thing is somehow related to the state of our culture, you get bonus points!

  2. Speak the truth.

    This one can often get us into trouble. All those passionate posts we’re reading are likely written by people who strongly believe they are sharing the truth. And maybe they are. But when there’s turmoil amongst people, everyone thinks they are the one standing on the truth. The Bible tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). It also tells us that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) and that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The truth has become very relative in our culture. And on many issues, there are gray areas. When in doubt, I know the truth lies hidden in God. Instead of sharing our own version of it, we can point people to Jesus, trusting that he’ll show us the way forward.

The next time you feel passion rise up within you about a particular issue, instead of posting your opinion about it, share a verse in the Bible that has influenced your thoughts. When we share God’s truth in place of our own, our words are guided by love.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14

  1. Keep a quiet life.

    One of the most powerful ways to share love with our words is to stay silent; to keep our words to ourselves. My mama told me, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I need that reminder most days. The leaders and influencers I respect most are the ones that remain quiet. It’s not that they have nothing to say, but their actions speak louder than their words. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.” What if we shared love through the absence of our words? What if saying nothing at all was the best representation of Jesus we could be? If you are one to get vocal when passionate about an issue (I love people who stand for things!) try staying silent for a bit. Let your peace speak volumes of gentle love.

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Happy National Bagel Day!

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(from www.nationaldaycalendar.com) National Bagel Day is observed annually on February 9th.

Bagels are one of the few breads that are boiled then baked. This creates a soft inside while keeping a crisp outside. Bagels originated in Poland in the early 17th century and now sell over a billion dollars worth each year in the United States.

Here are a few unique and yummy bagel recipes to try from www.sheknows.com!

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The Refuge Ministry is reaching out to people struggling with addition in Central Ohio

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Kelsey Bryte of The Morning Thing talks with Al Coulson about The Refuge Ministry. They talk about the ministry’s mission and how this ministry is impacting those struggling with addiction.

Click HERE to hear their conversation.

For more information about The Refuge Ministry, go to http://therefugeohio.org/

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5 Unique Times to Enjoy Devotions with Your Kids 1/31/16

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Life is busy, especially for parents. How do you work in devotions with your kids, when you are trying to juggle a busy family schedule?

Rachel Wojo shared 5 fabulous ideas on www.faithgateway.com

There’s no perfect time for everyone, and being flexible is often the key to success. By thinking outside the box, children can learn through our example that time with God can be had anywhere and anytime. Check out these unique times to enjoy devotions with your kids!

  1. Drop-off Lines

Do you wait in line at the school once arriving? Maybe you carpool and have 10 minutes between pickup times. Or do you have a few minutes of downtime while waiting for the bus? Each of these times could be used to read a short devotional and pray for the day.

  1. Between activities

If your routine is to go straight from school to dance class, then perhaps those few minutes while waiting for class to start would be a great time to enjoy a Bible verse or devotional page together. Think about your schedule and reflect on any small time slots of 10-15 minutes when transitions are made. Maximize those minutes and choose to embrace the time you have.

  1. Right after dinner

Our family keeps a basket of devotionals close by the kitchen table. We typically read for a few minutes right after dinner. When evening activities are more flexible due to a holiday or vacation, we’ve found that even during dinner can be a great time to talk about Jesus and enjoy a short devotional.

  1. Bath Time

For little ones, getting them to sit still long enough to listen can be a challenge. When mine were toddlers and preschoolers, we utilized bath time for a lot of things. We used to write out “Jesus (heart) Michael” using bath paint soap and then talk about how he washes our sins away as we washed the paint off the shower wall. Reading a Bible verse from a devotional while they play with tub toys and listen can be a wonderful devotional opportunity!

  1. During after-school snack

If your regular routine includes an after-school snack, incorporating a prayer and short devo might be a wonderful time for your children to reset and recharge after a day of school. Praying for the snack and then reading while your kids eat could be a wonderful time to rest in Jesus before the dinner prep or evening activities and routines begin.

While having devotions with our kids can seem like a lot of work, it doesn’t have to be! Capturing the time we have and enjoying a few minutes focused on Jesus and His Word is rewarding.

If you’re looking for devotionals that will meet your children on their level, our family has a few favorites:

Grace for the Moment, 365 Devotions for Kids is a fantastic daily devotional by Max Lucado. I Can Learn the Bible contains a wonderful weekly emphasis on 52 Scriptures every kid should know. Every Day a Blessing is a year of God’s love devotional that will provide a delightful experience.

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It is International FUN at Work Day! The Morning Thing, 1/27/17

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Photo: Robert Daly / Getty Images

International Fun At Work Day is all about enjoying yourself. Have FUN today!

Here are 19 Ways to Have More Fun at Work from www.levo.com

1. Be the snack queen/king.

Whenever there’s free food in the office, people swarm like vultures. Being the go-to for snacks is beneficial: you’ll get to know your coworkers when they pop by for M&Ms, and you’ll have a reason to go grocery shopping during the workday.

2. Start the games.

Whether it’s a work-related contest or a quick game of darts, try to initiate spontaneity and competition into day-to-day tasks.

3. Plan outings with coworkers.

Some examples of team bonding include bowling, happy hours, and pizza Fridays. If your boss/manager is open enough, suggest these ideas as potential corporate-sponsored events to rile up the crowd. Spending time outside the office to catch up on topics other than work is a great way to get to know your peers on a personal level.

4. Give gifts.

Anything from Girl Scout cookies to coffee to really fun pens, taking the time to appreciate a coworker and give them a little thinking-of-you present is thoughtful—and the first step to making true friends among the humdrum.

5. Decorate your desk.

Choose a theme and go for it. If you’re really feeling bold, offer to decorate someone else’s desk (if you know them well!). People will get to know your personality better and ask questions that will lead to interesting conversation.

6. Take frequent breaks.

Give your eyes a rest from the computer screen to stretch your legs outside. Fresh air lets the body distress after long periods of Excel or Photoshop.

7. Create a recreational team.

Kickball, soccer, book clubs, salsa dancing. If you haven’t already, you’ll soon realize the working world is just like college, except you get paid. Might as well do something fun and productive.

8. Bring your plant to work.

It’ll freshen up your desk and add some calming greenery your space.

9. Bring your pet to work!

If you’re lucky enough to work in an office that allows dogs or cats, bring your pooch in for some inter-office cuddling and snuggling.

10. Celebrate.

Birthdays and holidays, milestone achievements such as promotions, newcomers, and movers; these should all be properly celebrated with lots of sweets.

11. Host a scavenger hunt.

For when you’re feeling particularly proactive, this activity is great for a group of interns and team bonding. Whether it’s just in the office or around a whole city, working together to solve problems and compete is a fun simulation of the workplace environment.

12. Play pranks (within reason).

Light-hearted pranks should be encouraged outside of April Fools’ Day—nothing says love like finding hundreds of Post-its on your desk area. Just be game to help clean up afterward!

13. Challenge a friend to be your accountability partner.

Whether training for a race or simply working out, the people you see every day are great for motivation.

14. Go out for lunch.

This one seems simple, but more often than not, people eat at their desks just to appear dedicated. Socializing is important, and so is food.

15. Personalize your desk space.

Bring in photos of your friends and family, significant other, and other trinkets as a reminder of what makes life worthwhile.

16. Have a Nerf gun contest.

One of my first internships was at TerraCycle, where one manager hosted a Nerf gun contest for the best poem. I wrote a haiku and a limerick and earned myself a Nerf gun, which I was allowed to use on anybody in the office—even the CEO.

17. Give handwritten notes.

Not just handy for interviews and thank-you notes, but also for random compliments and acts of kindness. Cheer up someone’s day with a sweet card!

18. Challenge yourself to obstacles.

While team sports are great, sometimes the most fun you can have in the office is to compete with yourself. I personally enjoy completing a task more efficiently, faster, or creatively than ever before (but yours can be a little more fun than that).

19. Show gratitude.

Above all, having fun at work is all about human connections. A corporation will never deliver more impact than the collective individuals who surround you each day, fighting the same fight. Living by this mantra will make for a harmonious workplace.

Here is a picture of Scott Potts’ car (Jenna’s Dad) covered in post-it notes. A friend of the family thought that this would be a “fun” way to show Scott how much he was loved and appreciated. It took over 5 hours to put all these post-it notes on the car! 🙂

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It is National Spouses Day! Celebrate with The Morning Thing 1/26/17

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From http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/ – National Spouses Day is observed annually on January 26th. Dedicated to recognizing spouses everywhere, the day reminds us to take time for our mate. From being thankful for fulfillment and security of a long-term relationship to the boost of morale and well-being provided by spouses, there are many reasons to celebrate.  This day is a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he or she does for you and the home.

Use #NationalSpousesDay to post on social media.

www.NationalToday.com conducted a survey for Spouses Day Survey. They asked 1,035 married Americans to dish on their spouses.
TOP 5 THINGS THAT ANNOY US ABOUT OUR SPOUSES
#1: My spouse has selective listening (40%)
#2: My spouse snores (39%)
#3: My spouse can be a control freak sometimes (26%)
#4: My spouse is not as financially responsible as I am (20%)
#5: My spouse has bodily quirks (e.g. nose picking, farting, burping, etc.) (19%)
TOP 5 REASONS AMERICANS APPRECIATE THEIR SPOUSES
#1: My spouse is a hard worker (60%)
#2: I can be myself around my spouse (56%)
#3: My spouse makes me laugh (56%)
#4: My spouse is smart (52%)
#5: My spouse is supportive of my goals and desires (48%)
To see the entire list of results, click HERE.

www.NationalToday.com gives us some great ideas on how to make this day special.

How to Celebrate National Spouses Day

1. Dine out at your favorite restaurant
Every married couple has a go-to restaurant. Whether it’s the local burger joint with the extra loaded cheese fries, or the fancy French establishment overlooking the river, treat each other to a quiet dinner. The topic of conversation? How much you love and support each other.

2. Enjoy a low-key night at home
If you have kids, hire a sitter for the night. This day is all about you and your spouse. Pop in a movie, cook dinner together, put together a jigsaw puzzle—it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s in each other’s company, with no distractions.

3. Play the Newlywed Game
This game is all the more fun if you’re not a newlywed. You may live together, but how well do you and your spouse actually know each other? If you don’t have the board game, find some Newlywed Game questions online.

We also found 36 Bible Verses from www.intentionaltoday.com to Encourage Your Marriage!
Click HERE to see the complete list and start encouraging your spouse today.

Here are some of our favorites:

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Colossians 3:14

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

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Launch your career at CareerFest 2017

The Morning Thing shared some information about the upcoming CareerFest 2017.

It will be held on Friday, February 3 from 10am – 2pm at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. in Columbus.

Find a job, internship, or graduate school at one of Ohio’s largest career fairs.

Gary Swisher from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Career Development Office talks about how to get registered for this event and the benefits for students.
Click HERE to hear his conversation with Morning Thing co-host Jenna Potts.

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It is Global Belly Laugh Day! Let’s LAUGH!

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January 24 is Global Belly Laugh Day. Today we can celebrate the GREAT Gift of Laughter.

Join The Morning Thing today for the “Belly Laugh Bounce Around the World”.
Today, at 1:24 p.m. (local time) smile, throw your arms in the air and laugh out loud.
When you join this Global Belly Laugh, please record it and send your video to wnzr@mvnu.edu
We would LOVE to keep sharing the laughter with you.
Laughs and smiles are sunshine that transform our moments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the 7 continents. Click HERE to read more about how to connect, create and celebrate laughter.

Today, Marcy, Dan and Andy shared some laughs with you as they told Christian jokes.
Click HERE for a list of these silly jokes.
Click HERE to hear these 3 silly radio DJs tell jokes and laugh. 🙂

What happens when we laugh?
We get the fuel to thrive and flourish when we laugh.

(From www.bellylaughday.com)

 A Good Hearty Laugh
  • Even looking forward to having a good laugh can boost your immune system and reduce stress. University of California-Irvine study shows that even knowing you will be involved in a positive humorous event days in advance reduces levels of stress hormones in the blood and increases levels of chemicals known to aid relaxation.
  • Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow.
  • Playful laughing fuels positive energy, creativity and connection.
  • Boosts immune functions.
  • Increase’s pain tolerance.
  • Exercises facial, abdominal and chest muscles.
  • Oxygenates the blood.
  • Improves brain functioning.
    We are more alert, creative, we think better after a laugh.
  • Laughing changes our mood. Boosts Positive Emotions.

A Sense of Humor

  • How Does Your Sense of Humor Impact your heart?
    The University of Maryland laughter research 
  • A sense of humor fuels positive energy, connection and creativity.
  • Use humor during challenging times to transform situations.
  • Use humor to arouse curiosity and engage in divergent or creative thinking.
  • “‘Humor in children has been correlated with higher intelligence, creativity, sociability, empathy, self-esteem, and problem solving.
    Louis Franzini, Ph.D.
    author of Kids Who Laugh: How to Develop Your Child’s Sense of Humor
  • “Humor is a powerful force that can nourish children’s growth, development, health, and sense of well-being.”
    Amelia J. Klein, editor
    Humor in Children’s Lives: A Guidebook for Practitioners

Smiling

  • Smiling is Million Dollar Habit.
    “There are five habits you can develop to assure wonderful
    human relationships, both at home and work.
    They are: acceptance, appreciation, admiration, approval, and attention.
    The simplest way to express acceptance of another person
    is simply to smile each time you see him or her.”
    Brian Tracy, Million Dollar Habits
  • Malcolm Gladwell writes in Blink pages 206, “Ekman said, “What we discovered is that that expression alone is sufficient to create marked changes in the autonomic nervous system.”
  • Increase activity of the zygomatic muscles (the smiling muscles)
    creates positive emotions. The corregator muscle, the muscle of frowning and startle responses increase negative emotions.
    page 191
    Dr. Bob Arnot, The Biology of Success
  • “Children are so receptive to a smile that if a parent could make just one change in a thirty day period to vastly improve their parenting style, I would suggest smiling more often at their children and offering more hugs and affection.
    Read the Big Smiling Oath at breakfast with your family, and share stories at dinnertime each evening – and there will be stories.”
    Diana Loomans
    What All Children Want Their Parents to Know:12 Keys to Raising a Happy Child

Laughter can help our health! Click HERE for the entire article about 7 benefits of laughter.

1. LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

People who lower their blood pressure will reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack.

2. REDUCES STRESS HORMONE LEVELS

By reducing the level of stress hormones, you’re simultaneously cutting the anxiety and stress that impacts your body. Additionally, the reduction of stress hormones may result in higher immune system performance.

3. WORKS YOUR ABS

One of the benefits of laughter is that it can help you tone your abs. When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs.

4. IMPROVES CARDIAC HEALTH

Laughter is a great cardio workout, especially for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness. It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health.

5. BOOSTS T-CELLS

T-cells are specialized immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation. When you laugh, you activate T-cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness. Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan.

6. TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF ENDORPHINS

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.

7. PRODUCES A GENERAL SENSE OF WELL-BEING

Laughter can increase your overall sense of well-being. Doctors have found that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative. So smile, laugh, and live longer!

 

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