Laugh for your Health

Tip #13 Take time to SMILE Today

2012-01-28T11:47:00.000-08:00

Laugh for your Health: A place to share fun creative ideas, relaxation tips and practice daily laughter exercises for the mind, body and spirit. The great physician said: Laughter is good like a medicine...

Are you ready to do some simple smile and laughter breathing exercises? Great! After the count of 3. 1-2-3. Smile IN, Laugh Out, ha ha ha, AGAIN! Repeat this three times. For best results do this three times daily and report back to me in a week..

Tip #12 Turn Up the Music and DANCE

2012-01-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

Grocery Store Dancing

Tip # 11 Valentine’s Day

2011-02-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we’re all thinking about the people we love.

Cancer Caregivers can get free support 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 800-227-2345 or visiting our special caregiver section on cancer.org. Many caregivers find support from peers through our online Cancer Survivors Network. And, each month we host special telephone workshops for caregivers, featuring a variety of topics and experts.

Like all of our efforts to help people get well, our caregiver programs are offered free of charge, thanks to people like you who are fighting back against cancer through Relay For Life. We encourage you to take advantage of these support programs, or share them with someone you know who is caring for someone they love facing cancer.

Tip # 10 - Join: the 'JOY Club'

2010-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

CLICK here for details from The Smile C.A.R.E Group in Olney, MD. The JOYClub starts back up in the fall 2010, 3rd Thursday of every month.
date:
16th September
21st October
18th November
time: 6:45- 7:15 pm

18 December (Sat) -Fun Laughter & Costume Party
time: 5:30 - 8:30pm

Learn a fun new exercise program we call LAUGH-in-Motion Rx. Ideal for everyone. We practice simple breathing, gentle stretching & fun facial exercises, walking/dancing to a joyful beat, gentle relaxation techniques that are guaranteed to make a person smile like a Cheshire CAT.

Plus a 6 month plan for caregivers to help stay healthy while caring for others.

DAILY CHECKLIST
1. Pray/Meditate/Laugh every day
2. Brush & Floss
3. Walk 30 minutes (goal 10,000 steps a day)
4. Drink your water
5. Drink two cups of green tea daily
6. Take 400mg of DHA omega-3's
7. Sleep 7 & 8 hours a night

Dr. Michael Miller - Benefits of Laughter University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD

Tip # 9 Let me see a Smile

2010-03-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. If you’re reading this and you are a survivor, caregiver, or if you’ve been touched by the experience of friends and loved ones with cancer. I want to share with you about creating positive thoughts - Which is not the same as "being happy all the time. "I don't know if its possible to be happy all the time. Caring for someone you love brings out a big range of emotions. Don't think you must stomp down feelings and put on a strong and happy face for others all the time.(I know I catch myself doing this sometimes) There's another way, a healthier way...BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF and it doesn't mean walking around with happy smiling face all day when in fact all you want to do is break down and cry. We have emotions for a reason. So LISTEN to what your body is telling you. If you feel like crying... cry. (In a private place works best) I'm not sure the woman at the cash register would understand if she said "Have a nice day" and you started to cry! Try the one person 'Pity Party' approach- in the car, or behind closed doors. (between you and God hashing it out)Once the party's over you'll probably feel invigorated, don't hold on to those negative feelings too long, its bad for your health! when its over THINK Smile. (Like when my 18 year old son tells me the reason his does crazy things is because his front lobe in not yet fully developed) now that really makes me smile. Create positive thoughts in your mind. Thank God and be grateful for the everyday small stuff. Now... with that said. Let me see you SMILE.

Tip # 8 Laugh with MAXINE

2010-03-23T19:48:00.001-07:00

Tip # 7 Try Something Different

2010-03-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

YouTube I really want to try this someday... Umbrella Hat-Smile Freeze The Levity Project is a social movement which creates change through public play, laughter, and celebration with the goal of creating a lighter and more joyful society.

Tip # 6 TEA and LAUGHTER

2010-02-19T08:53:00.001-08:00

What do TEA and LAUGHTER have in common? They are both Good for Your Health.

LAUGHTER TEA - Guaranteed to make your SMILE

HEALTHY 100% Organic Yerba Mate from Argentina. Studies continue to show that drinking hot tea can help your body and brain in many ways. TEA - especially black, green and red -brush tea contains natural anti oxidants that can help boost your immune system and metabolism, calm your brain, and even help your bone and skin quality. The TEA & BAG Lady loves this tea. She called it Laughter Tea because it helps burns calories, also packed full nutrients, with over 23 vitamins and minerals from the rain forest of Argentina and Brazil. In Argentina they call it the drink of the GODS or Liquid Greens the government give this tea to the poor people because it an inexpensive way for those who can't afford vegetables to get there daily nutrients. This tea is also a natural appetite suppressant great for aiding with weight loss, available with chocolate flavor for the choc-alcoholic. Best of all part of all tea sales go the 2010 Relay for LIFE and the American Cancer Society

$10.95 http://www.teabagady.com/

Tip # 5 Smile and Laughter Breathing Exercises

2010-02-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

Meet KAREN:
Ready to do some simple laughter breathing exercises to clear the cobwebs out of your brain?

OK Great! Sit in an upright position, back straight, eyes open, hands in your lap, inhale through your noise bringing your shoulders up to your ears, then as you exhale through your mouth relax your shoulders saying harrrrr. Do this a couple of times until you feel relaxed.

Now... on the count of 3. 1-2-3.
Take a big breath through your noise and SMILE (like the Mona Liza) hold it for a few moments, as you release your breath and the smile, tilt your head back, arms stretched out to the side with eyes closed, exhale a big (LAUGH OUT) Ha Ha Ha, You will feel a warm pleasant feeling through out the body. Repeat several times. For best results do this three times daily and report back to me in a week..

Tip # 4 .Breathing & Relaxation DVD

2010-02-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

I found a great youtube video a while back and wanted to share it with you. A great tool for when you are feeling stressed. or want to find a way to unwind and relax at the end of your the day. Enjoy!

If you know someone going through radiation or chemotherapy this would make a great gift for them to listen to while going through treatments.

I purchased the cd and love it.

running time 4.17 mins
Breathing and Relaxation video

Watch a Funny Movie or Video. on YouTube

2010-01-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

Tip # 3. Watch one of our favorites about the upcoming weather forecast. Even though you can't understand what the woman is saying. Its true what they say everyone laughs in just the same language. Titled - (1) WHEN YOU CAN'T STOP LAUGHING
(2) 4great clips to make you Laugh

Tip # 2 The Caregiver

2009-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Maintain a Sense of Humor
Watch a funny movie. Recall amusing memories. Join a Smile or Laughter Group, Compare the nurses and doctors around you to your favorite cartoon characters! If you have Cancer it can be a serious, scary disease, but sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Check out books such as “Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips,” or "Smilies Are Naturally Bald." Fight back with a SMILE. but be sensitive with yourself and others. There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn.

Tip #1 Join a SMILE Group?

2009-11-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

FIGHT BACK WITH A SMILE
SMILE Groups and Laughter Clubs are fully independent, not-for-profit, community-based associations of diverse people who come together to support each other with a SMILE- We practice LAUGH-in-Motion a joyful exercise for your well being, diaphragmatic breathing, smiling, laughter, movement to music, relaxation, ending each session with fun affirmations and a prayer for healing ideal for everyone who would like to bring more JOY and laughter into there lives. During the winter months our location is not wheel chair accessible so the participants must be able to walk down steps. Karen Ricagno who is the facilitator of SMILE promotes a loving, caring, and compassionate space for those who feel they have nothing to SMILE about. If you are one of thousands of people world wide experiencing these feelings you are not alone. JOIN US...you'll be glad you did. Our motto: when the going gets tough LAUGH. Our groups are intimate, private and most of all a fun.

Indroduction

2009-11-09T09:08:00.001-08:00

This blog is for those I am blessed to care for,
and for all of you who make the time to care for those you love & others

365 guilt free ...bite size TEN minute tips for feeling more hope, energy and joy each day
How to Care for Yourself. While You're taking Care of Others

Are you a caregiver or cancer survivor? There are 50 million family caregivers in America and millions of cancer survivors, many of us struggle with fatigue, burnout and the stress of taking care of themselves or someone else, while many juggle church, home, work, family, and other responsibilities. As one of those 50 million myself I'd like to share with you what I've learned and are still learning along my journey. The first thing is to SMILE even when you don't feel like it, just the act of smiling makes you feel good all over. The second lesson and most difficult one for me is "Patience" I struggle with patience daily.

When we forget to take care of ourselves its easy to loose our joy, our smile and our patience... we can become resentful, angry, sad, and depressed. I pray that some of my own personal tips, and tips from others become your lifesaver in the midst of your day and you're able to re-connect with your sometimes tired body and mind by giving back to yourself, so you'll have the patience it takes to care for yourself and the patience it takes to take care for others.

Chapter ONE. Getting started.
ONE. Do your Homework
TWO. Relax and De-Stress
THREE. Go Out and Play
FOUR. Super Foods for Caregivers
FIVE. Go to Bed
SIX. Clean Yourself Up
SEVEN. Clean Up & Tidy Up your Mess
EIGHT. ME Time
NINE. Positive Thinking & Prayer

When the going gets tough LAUGH... Because not all medicine comes in a bottle

LAUGHTER
* Releases feel good endorphins
* Decreases levels of stress hormones
* Lowers blood pressure
* Strengthens the immune system
* Makes us feel good a sense of well being
* Shrinks the "hurts" of everyday life

Take a deep smile in, and a big laugh out. ha ha ha

Key note speaker Karen Ricagno

2009-10-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

The benifits of Laughter for Breast Cancer at Susan G Komen for the Cure

Susan G.Komen websie

The SMILE & Laughter Club photos from Susan G Komen for the Cure

Karen the facilitator invites the inner child in you to come out and play, the child who needs to smile and to laugh in order to stay healthy. Smiling and Laughter are your natural God given gifts so why not use them as part of your wellness program.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Walk. October 2009

2009-10-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

Light the Night WALK October 5th 2009

Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. If you’re a survivor or caregiver, or if you’ve been touched by the experience of friends and loved ones with cancer. Get involved and join us for next years 2010 Light the Night Leukemia and Lymphoma Walk or Join our TEAM Fight back with a SMILE organized by SMILE Groups & Happiness Laughter Clubs and sponsored by Carlos & Karen Ricagno owners of Ricagno Painting Company for this years Relay for Life in Olney, MD

http://helenshopewalk.blogspot.com/