Be Joyful and Laugh

Joy is a choice.?

You can live a joyful life, but you must intentionally choose it.

Even through your life struggles, when you are not happy, you can choose to live with Joy.?

“I live a very joyful life, with a lot of laughter and good times.” - Kimberly Elise

Choosing joy ultimately brings smiles, laughter and happiness.

Laughter truly is the best medicine. Even if you have to make yourself laugh, it improves your health, attitude and brings joy to your soul.?

This is from the Mayo Clinic website:

Short-term benefits of laughter

A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

• Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
• Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Long-term effects of laughter

Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:

• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.

In order to reap the benefits of laughter, you have to take action.

You have to choose to make joy a daily habit.

“When joy is a habit, love is a reflex.” - Bob Goff

That’s right, you become a better, more loving person, when you choose Joy.

And you can uplift others. Especially when you choose joy through hard times.?

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” ?Romans 12:12

Remember there is something bigger than your life tribulations.

When you choose joy it brings hope. God can help you when you trust Him, and go to Him in prayer.?

So what brings you Joy?

What fuels a positive spirit in your life?

Where do you go when you struggle and need hope?

“Figure out what fuels your joy, then do lots of that.” ?Bob Goff

Choose joy filled activities and people to fill your life with joy and laughter.

Your environment is so important in how you look and life, the challenges, and the perspective you choose.

I am thankful for God’s blessings in my life, including my Beautiful Wife and family and all of you, my amazing friends.?

Get out there and Choose Joy.

And remember…

You can live the life you choose!

Blessings!

For more information on Russ Hedge go to www.russhedge.com

For a copy of Russ’ New International Best Selling Books? “Beyond Boundaries”? “A Note To My Family” “Rattled Awake” volume one, “Perspectives on Cancer,” vol 2, or “Befuddled? Live the Life You Choose!” go to? https://www.russhedge.com/buy-book-now