"Always look on the Bright side of Life..."

Why a hearty laugh and a healthy sense of humour could do you the world of good...

A recent study carried out by the American Heart Association in New Orleans, U.S.A suggests that people with a good sense of humour are less likely to suffer a heart attack than their pessimistic counterparts.

Researchers studied 300 people and their reactions to awkward situation, such as having wine spilt on them at a restaurant. People with heart disease were 40% less likely to react with laughter. Being unable to laugh may be a sign of depression and anxiety which may in turn contribute to heart disease. Even so, the researchers accepted that people with heart disease may have more cause to be gloomy.

In the 1930's, Dr Edward Bach studied human emotions and went on to develop a system of therapy known as the Bach Flower Remedies. He found that people could generally be divided into distinct personality types and each type reacted to illness in a particular way. The remedies were then designed not only to deal with the condition, but with the individual's reaction to their condition.

Elsewhere, research at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre suggest that people with a positive outlook on life may live up to 5 years longer.

Sunday, 3 December 2000