Hello to you from Boyett Health Services! We hope all of you are having an incredible Spring so far and that you have made steps to be healthier as we near the Summer months! The focus of this month's newsletter is on our mental and physical health. We discuss how laughter has the ability to heal both physically and emotionally and we also give you a very practical way to cut weight by stopping a habit that has plagued many of us.

Take some time to get out and enjoy this beautiful Spring weather! Here's to the wonderful opportunity we have to start afresh everyday!! We wish you the best, and God Bless! 

Who doesn't love an ice cold Coca Cola Classic on a hot summer day? Root Beer floats are as American as the bald Eagle. Saying no to these delights often takes great will power, and sometimes, we just don't want to. 

The United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption. Vending machines fill every building, a convenience store can be found around every corner soda commercials are at no lack. Whether it is a small occasional pleasure or

an every day need, most Americans are consuming

sodas on a regular basis. If it's the taste you love or

an addiction that cries to be met, read on! 

Sodas are among the most harmful things that we consume. Though it's crazy to think that those tasty 20 ounce drinks can affect our bodies in such a horrible way, they do. Check out how much sugar is in your favorite drinks here. Every time we quench that craving, we are adding unneccesary sugars which turn into pounds.

Crazy, Awesome & Scary Facts:  

I know what you're thinking, "if I cut out soda alone, I can lose up to 30 pounds this year?! Sign me up!" Not only are we shedding the weight, but regaining that energy to make it through our work day. 

Read this article to learn if switching to diet coke is a healthy alternative or if an all out switch to water is the solution.

Your main motivation for stopping this habit of drinking sodas may be your health. It may be fitting into that swim suit again. But the Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." Not only do we need to stop for our health so we can have a longer healthier lifestyle, but also because God created us in His image! It says we were bought with a price and we have an opportunity to glorify God by how we manage our bodies! 

You wouldn't fill your car with destructive oil and expect it to run at optimum performance, so don't fill your body with harmful sugars. You've got one, just one body, you determine how long it will live and how rich those years will be. Cut out something as simple as sodas and do wonders for your body. You can do it! 

Learn More About What Sodas do to your Body here!

Check out our website blog here!

A Dose of Laughter

Studies show Solomon wasn't pulling a fast one or writing an analogy when he said in Proverbs 17:22, "a cheerful heart is good medicine." Norman Cousins, a well known author, professor and world peace advocate was diagnosed in 1964 with a debilitating spinal disease and was given one in 500 chances of survival. After checking himself into a hotel, rather than a hospital, Cousins began his own treatment which included large doses of Vitamin C and even larger doses of laughter. He watched comedy programs and movies, such as the Marx Brothers and found that the laughter produced chemicals which allowed him a few hours of pain free sleep. Eventually, the disease went into remission and he was able to return to work. After, he reported, "I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep."
Laughter is not only natural and contagious, but it has the ability to heal, both emotionally and physically! Tense or sore? No problem, a good hearty laugh can relieve physical tension and stress, relaxing your muscles for up to 45 minutes! Do you get sick often? Quick solution, laugh! Laughter increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, therefore, improving your immunity to disease. As Norman Cousins found, laughter also releases endorphins which can temporarily relieve pain, all the while increasing blood flow, which can protect against heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
The emotional benefits of laughter are a little more obvious. Laughing relieves stress and enhances resilience for times to come. It comes down to decision. With most situations in life, you have the opportunity to see the worst or see the best. When the opportunity arises, choose to laugh. At yourself or in agreement with someone. It not only relieves your stress, but improves teamwork and the atmosphere around you.
There you have it, a free prescription from your doctor for laughter, several high doses a day, before, after and during a meal. Please don't keep out of the reach of children, seeing as they are often experts on laughter and make life that much more rich. Instead, take your kids out, get a pet, grab the Sunday comics or gather around a funny movie and don't stop laughing!

Check out our blog here at Boyett Health Services!