When I saw that quote today: “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy shoes, and that’s kind of the same thing.” I busted out laughing …and frankly after the icky week I have had I desperately needed a good laugh because laughter is supposed to be nature’s best medicine!  And I need all the healing powers I can get this week!

It really is true that laughter is considered Nature’s Medicine – research shows that laughter physically relaxes the entire body.  It relives physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes.  Laughter increases immune cells and infection fighting antibiotics, thus improving your resistance to diseases.  Laughter releases endorphins, which promote an overall sense of well-being.  And laughter protects your heart by increasing blood flow and improving the function of your blood vessels which protects from cardiovascular diseases. So right now I figure I need to laugh as much as possible!

And after reading the opening quote I shared in this blog it looks like I need to go buy a new pair of shoes as well because then I could feel better AND happier! (tee hee)

Before you knock it, you need to know that there is actually scientific proof behind the statement that buying shoes really equals more happiness! I even shared that research in a blog I wrote back in October of 2012 – here’s a snippet from that blog:

According to studies, when a woman buys a new pair of shoes “The neurotransmitter dopamine is released, providing a feel-good high, similar to taking a drug,” says Martin Lindstrom.  And apparently it is not just an increase of dopamine at work:  “Shoes are a collector’s item, whether women realize they perceive them that way or not,” says Suzanne Ferriss, PhD, editor of Footnotes: On Shoes. Just think of how they’re often stored artfully on shoe trees and shelves. “They’re like sculptures,” says Ferriss. As a result, collecting each type provides a mini-adrenaline rush similar to the satisfaction a stamp collector gets when he acquires a rare find.”

So not only do we all need more laughter to keep us feeling good – we also need to go buy a new pair of shoes 🙂  I mean, who knew that Laughter and Shoes were the best prescription for helping us feel better and happier!  I think that is the best kind of medicine anyone has suggested yet!!

Goals to strive for this weekend – laugh out loud as much as possible and buy yourself a new pair of shoes. Feel better and be happier everyone and have a fantastic weekend! YAY for weekends!

~Amy