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This is a big weekend in Good Elements world. It is one of the weekends where the Company founders get together and check in with each other as friends - almost family - rather than as business partners. It’s a weekend that will be filled with laughter, maybe a few deep conversations, celebrations of recent joys and some reflection on sorrows. So in keeping with the weekend ahead, we did a little research on the impact of friends and laughter on health. And no surprise, it seems that good friends can have a positive impact on your health.

Research indicates that not being socially connected can negatively impact your overall health and wellness while social connectedness can have the opposite, positive impact. The connections experienced in a good friendship increase your feelings of social belonging, self-esteem, and support positive mental health.

John Cacioppo, director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, reports that when you are socially isolated, your brain increases the amount of the hormone cortisol. We touched on the impact of cortisol and its role in adrenal fatigue in this news article in February. Other current research states that as human beings, we are biologically created to seek out social connections. Without these social connections, the same part of the brain that responds when we are hurt, responds by making us feel uncomfortable.

When we laugh we stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. Some researchers believe that laughter may offer some of the same advantages as a workout.

One pioneer in laughter research, William Fry, claimed it took ten minutes on a rowing machine for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of hearty laughter. And as people who spend an inordinate amount of time using the ergometer for fitness, we here at Good Elements will tell you - we’d rather be laughing! In fact, a small study conducted at Vanderbilt University indicated that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.

Other research has shown that laughter can have positive impacts on blood flow, immune response, blood sugar levels, and relaxation and sleep.

So we here at Good Elements hope that this weekend you too will find some time to laugh and enjoy the Company of friends. Your health will thank you!

source: Webmd

This is a continuation of our pillar blogs from February. See Pillar I- Nutrition/ Digestion / Elimination posted on Feburary 13th and Pillar II-The Mind-Body Connection / Stress reduction posted on February 16th.

Pillar III-Sleep

Consistent sleep and wake cycles, sleeping in fresh or purified air, and sleeping without artificial lights contribute to balanced sleep. Regular, deep sleep boosts the immune system, decreases depression, and helps the body regenerate and grow. There exists many natural ways to improve sleep and relax your body without becoming addicted to pharmaceutical sleep medications.

Having consistent sleep and wakes cycles maximizes melatonin secretion and balances your hormones. Adequate melatonin levels contribute to feelings of well-being and reduce the risks of many types of cancer. Hormonal problems such as low libido, menopause and premenstrual tension can all be improved with regular sleep.

Sleeping in fresh air or with an air purifier in your bedroom also increases the quality of sleep as well as boosts your immune system. When you sleep among pollutants, dust, and mold then the immune system has to work hard all night long combating these irritants. Fresh air or air purification can achieve this goal.

Sleep in the dark to optimize melatonin secretion. Even the light from your alarm clock or personal computer can disturb the diurnal rhythms of melatonin secretion. Turn your alarm clock around, get black-out blinds or a good, soft eye pillow to sleep restfully in the pitch dark.

Having trouble falling to sleep? Try Good Elements’ Dream Supply for a natural, non addictive but effective sleep aide.

Stay Tuned for Pillar IV, Exercise and Movement

Yours in health,
Dr. Britta Zimmer
Chief Naturopathic Physician & Founder