Someone once said the best things in life are free and from there many have embraced this notion. What does this mean? We don’t have to spend tons of money just to enjoy certain pleasures in life, four of which are listed here.
Free as a Bird
1. Laughter has been said to be the best medicine, good for all that ails you. Think you can’t use a healthy dose of laughter at the moment? Think again. Laughter can be just the antidote you need to relieve conflict, stress and pain. Bringing humor to a situation also can lighten your burdens, connect you to others and keep you grounded, focused and alert, as well. The benefits of laughter are so far-reaching that it also can relax your whole body, boost your immune system, trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s natural feel-good chemicals) and protect the heart.
How do I create more opportunities for laughter? Simply do these things:
- Go to a comedy club;
- Watch a funny movie or TV show;
- Read the funny pages;
- Seek out funny people;
- Check out your local bookstore’s humor section;
- Share a joke or a funny story;
- Host game night with friends.;
- Play with a pet;
- Go to a “laughter yoga” class;
- Show your goofy side with children you know;
- Do something silly;
- Make time for fun activities (miniature golfing, mechanical bull riding, bowling, karaoke).
2. Whether strolling, jogging or running in park, taking in nature is never a bad thing to do. Being in the comfort of ‘Mother Nature’ can be quite freeing, actually. There is just so much to look at and listen to, oak trees and the sound of birds chirping. Bringing your favorite book to the park or having a mini picnic also is a wonderful thing to do. Perhaps you enjoy cloud gazing, your perfect spot may be on a bench, as there is no shortage of clouds across the sky. Be it Cirrus, Cumulus or Altostratus, now is the perfect time to brush-up on your cloud types.
3. Spending quality time with family and friends should be a top priority for everyone. Why? It is interesting to see what individuals have in common with each other. It’s also funny to share anecdotes and vent frustrations from time-to-time. Who said you have to journal everything, when you can speak to a family member or close friend about your situation.
4. The love of a pet is priceless. This can hold true for all age types, but especially for the elderly. What’s more, walking a dog or caring for a pet can provide both exercise and companionship. Further proving the added benefits of having a pet, one insurance company asks clients over 75 years’ of age if they have a pet, as part of their medical screening.
On Easy Street
There is always a way that we can add to this list of free things. Just look around you and see the things that bring you joy, that you don’t have to shell out bucks for. You’d be surprise at what you can come up with.
Web Links:
–http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter;
–http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm;
–http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets
-Kimberly Williams
[KWLMS] 