Academician Cheng Shujun: The only way to prevent cancer is to laugh.

Humor master Charlie Chaplin once said: When you laugh, it is difficult to feel anxious and fearful, which is why humor is an effective tool to fight depression.

A rising mouth is not only a smiling expression, but also an important secret to keep healthy.

Cheng Shujun, an academician of China Academy of Engineering and former vice president of Cancer Hospital of China Academy of Medical Sciences, once shared that there is only one word for cancer prevention-smile, which shows the importance of smile to health.

Life Times interviews experts and tells you how a warm smile can add points to your health.

Interviewed experts

Li Jianming, Executive Vice President of the International China Applied Psychology Research Association.

As early as the beginning of last century, laughter therapy for cancer patients appeared in American hospitals, and doctors invited some clowns to perform funny programs for them.

It was found that the patients who watched the clown show not only became more cheerful, but also had more obvious therapeutic effect.

A study by the American Cancer Society found that by laughing, patients can not only relieve blood pressure, but also relax the muscles of the whole body, so that the endorphins in the body can be released, which helps to relieve pain, accelerate digestion and make the body absorb more nutrients.

Therefore, after entering the new century, major hospitals in the United States provide laughter therapy for inpatients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and digestive diseases.

At present, there are three forms of laughter therapy commonly used in American hospitals:

Invite clowns to perform farce.

First of all, clowns who have received professional medical knowledge training will go to the wards of various departments every day and perform 15~30 minutes of farce for them.

Especially for critically ill patients who need surgery, the clown will follow them into the operation preparation room for surgery, observe the patient's reaction, and feedback the various problems of the patient to the doctor in time.

The TV in the ward plays interesting programs.

In the United States, only 1 ~ 2 patients usually live in a ward, and the TV in the ward provides comedy movies, funny talk shows or TV plays for patients to adjust their mood during rest, so patients can choose according to their own preferences.

Hold a "patient party"

In order not to make patients feel bored during hospitalization, many hospitals organize 1~3 "patient gatherings" every month. The nurse gathered the inpatients in the activity room and encouraged them to tell 2~3 jokes. Some people even become friends and encourage each other to treat each other positively.

It is reported that from 20 13, in order to reduce the hospitalization time of patients, many American general practitioners began to learn courses such as patient psychology, and amused patients by telling jokes and dressing up as clowns.

According to statistics, only about 14.4% patients need to be hospitalized through laughter therapy by general practitioners.

According to research in many countries, laughter can help you keep healthy for a long time in five aspects.

1, which helps to lower blood pressure and protect the heart and brain.

Japanese researchers found that when participants watched funny variety shows, their blood flow in internal organs increased and their blood circulation improved.

In addition, comedy movies that make people laugh can dilate blood vessels, improve blood supply to the brain and lower blood pressure within 24 hours, which can be called "natural antihypertensive drugs".

Professor Sugawara Chun, the lead researcher, said: "Laughter may not be enough to replace drugs or surgery to treat heart disease, but it does have a very positive auxiliary therapeutic effect."

2. Eliminate stress and treat depression.

Laughter not only affects physical health, but also triggers psychological reactions, which is why people feel relaxed and carefree after laughing.

In a new study, scientists found that laughing once can reduce the levels of cortisol, adrenaline and Dobak by 39%, 70% and 38% respectively.

Researchers say that these seemingly short-lived emotional factors may play a therapeutic role in mental illness in the long run.

3. Improve immunity

Dr. Li Boke of Los Malinda University found that laughter can reduce the level of inflammation and increase the activity of K lymphocytes (an immune cell, which plays a role in antivirus, parasites, tumors, etc.). ).

Therefore, laughter helps to enhance the immune system function and protect the body from diseases.

Dr. Li listed laughter as a traditional healthy lifestyle as important as a balanced diet, active exercise and good sleep.

Step 4 relieve pain

Experts say that the reason why laughter can relieve pain may be because the body releases endorphins, a natural painkiller, which enhances our ability to resist pain.

5, the heat of combustion

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States said that although laughter can't replace exercise, it lasts 10 ~ 15 minutes and can burn up to 40 calories (about 0. 17 kilojoules).

Not only that, laughing can also exercise the abdomen, shoulders and diaphragm.

Since smiling has so many benefits, try the following three ways to keep your mood "perfect".

Spend more time with people who love to laugh.

A study by Uppsala University in Sweden found that smiling is very infectious.

Sophie from University College London? Scott pointed out that after hearing laughter, the area in the brain responsible for smiling will automatically respond and show a heartfelt smile.

For example: 1995, Indian doctor Ma Dan? Cotelia established the first laughter club; Every morning, hundreds of people gather in Shenzhen Lianhuashan Park, laughing nonstop. This makes the smile spread in the crowd.

If you can't laugh, you have to "fake smile"

Laurie Lin, a health columnist of the American Daily Briefing? Rick believes that fake smiles and forced smiles are also good for health. Because laughter can expand the chest and abdomen, relax muscles and promote blood circulation.

Always practice smiling at home.

A report published in the journal Psychological Science shows that when we bite chopsticks with our mouths, we will mobilize the same muscles as when we smile, and bring a positive effect similar to laughter.

So many training institutions will let women practice smiling by biting chopsticks, and everyone can try it at home.

Besides, seeing the corners of your mouth rise in the mirror will make you feel happy.