[redwitch]

Life without laughter and friends is not living -- it is surviving. Healthy eating and exercise are necessary to live longer, not necessarily better. So, bring on the laughter and the chocolate and the beef and and the bread and pasta and, yes, the fruits, veggies. Whether you choose the life of a couch potato or a marathon runner is up to you. Personally, I'll take my life one day at a time without the lectures, TYVM.

In the meantime, I remember surviving being tossed into the lake and being told to swim. Not the best way to learn but I didn't drown and didn't end up with a phobia about water. I also remember the five-mile walk to the movies, picking up bottles on the way to turn in for popcorn. Things may be safer now but I think they were more fun then.

Thanks, Gracie and others, for the walk down memory lane. It's been an enjoyable journey.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

If "life is short", let's lengthen it by living a healthy lifestyle. We have a greater opportunity to do that today than ever before. Laughter is a nice addition to a healthy lifestyle but not nearly as essential as eating healthy food and getting proper exercise etc..

Originally Posted by redwitch

Life without laughter and friends is not living -- it is surviving. Healthy eating and exercise are necessary to live longer, not necessarily better. So, bring on the laughter and the chocolate and the beef and and the bread and pasta and, yes, the fruits, veggies. Whether you choose the life of a couch potato or a marathon runner is up to you. Personally, I'll take my life one day at a time without the lectures, TYVM.

That's what I was trying to say, but Redwitch nailed it.
Life without laughter and a supportive circle of friends isn't living, it's just surviving.

[jblum315]

Paragoric was opium in a sweet syrup. Given indiscriminately to teething babies and hyperactive children.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Your educated opinion?

If you think the only benefit of friendship and laughter is to relieve stress, you are really misinformed.

Well why don't you inform me? Is there a study that shows benefit beyond relieving stress, regarding longevity? I know being with friends and laughing is fun but where's the proof that it will cause one to live longer?

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Personally, I'll take my life one day at a time without the lectures,....

Thanks for the lecture.

[Villager Joyce]

He/she is enough to make a nun curse.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I know being with friends and laughing is fun but where's the proof that it will cause one to live longer?

As Redwitch said, life without laughter and a supportive circle of friends isn't living, it's just surviving.
Not all of us are strictly focused on merely living a long life. We're also focused on living a happy life.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

He/she is enough to make a nun curse.

[Villager Joyce]

Other than happiness, how else can one explain the positive response to the animals brought into hospitals. Patients who haven't communicated light up when a dog is brought into his/her room. People in the hospital suffering from depression react to the therapy dogs. The healing power of mans best friend.

[TheVillageChicken]

As I sit here slitting my wrists with the dull blade of overindulgence, I am comforted by the sage advice of Neil Young, "It's better to burn out than to fade away."

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce

Other than happiness, how else can one explain the positive response to the animals brought into hospitals. Patients who haven't communicated light up when a dog is brought into his/her room. People in the hospital suffering from depression react to the therapy dogs. The healing power of mans best friend.

The positive response is mainly due to the contrast it brings to an otherwise dull environment that was usually not of their choosing. People in nursing homes who haven't communicated will suddenly light up when given an iPod with music. Any kind of attention may be helpful.

It helps with the quality of life for a brief period of time, but do dementia patients live significantly longer because of these encounters? Maybe if they have good food, exercise, mental stimulation and some cheerful encounters.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Well why don't you inform me? Is there a study that shows benefit beyond relieving stress, regarding longevity? I know being with friends and laughing is fun but where's the proof that it will cause one to live longer?

I would bet happy people live longer.

[Bonny]

Let me see. Tonight I could sit home and have a wonderful healthy meal and a cup of green tea.
Um nope..... I'm meeting a group of really awesome friends at the outside bar at RJ Gators. I do believe we'll probably do what we always do, laugh a whole lot, drink, and share fried onion rings with that really good cajun sauce ! Then some of us will go later for may or may not be a totally healthy meal.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Bonny

I would bet happy people live longer.

As opposed to people who eat a healthful diet and exercise? You need to set some parameters before I put down any money.

Also, I'd like to know how you plan to measure "happy".

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Bonny

Let me see. Tonight I could sit home and have a wonderful healthy meal and a cup of green tea.
Um nope..... I'm meeting a group of really awesome friends at the outside bar at RJ Gators. I do believe we'll probably do what we always do, laugh a whole lot, drink, and share fried onion rings with that really good cajun sauce ! Then some of us will go later for may or may not be a totally healthy meal.

So we're talking alcohol, fried food with sauce, and possibly more fried food later. Are you lecturing us on your lifestyle?