Study shows laughing decreases stress Laughing...

Study shows laughing decreases stress

Laughing does the body good was the conclusion of a recent UC

Irvine College of Medicine study.

The study found that even looking forward to a funny event

increasing endorphins and decreases detrimental stress hormones.

“This has profound implications for complementary treatment of

disease and for maintaining a person’s wellness,” said Lee Berk,

assistant professor of family medicine and researcher at the Susan

Samueli Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. A positive

attitude and humorous events can help combat the negative health

effects of stress, he said.

Berk has demonstrated that something as simple as watching a

humorous video may be the solution to lowering stress and fighting

disease.

This study is significant for the ongoing research on the

relationship between mood, behavior and the prevention of disease.

Students awarded for art, essays on peace

The Newport Beach Public Library’s “Peace Through Understanding”

art and essay contest judges awarded four middle and high school

students with $100 savings bonds.

Florencia Krochik, a Corona del Mar High junior, and Lauren Zaslav

a Carden Hall eighth-grader were selected from among 27 essay

writers. Judges were from the Newport Beach Public Library

Foundation.

Nikki Fox, a Sage Hill High School ninth-grader, and Lauren

Miller, an Ensign Middle School eighth-grader, won for their art

collages. Members of the Newport Beach Arts Commission judged 41

submissions.

These winners were selected for their outstanding expressions

about tolerance and diversity.

Artwork is on display in the Central Library’s Teen Center and

copies of essays are available at the Teen Center desk.

The Newport Beach Central Library is at 1000 Avocado Avenue. For

information, call (949) 717-3801.

Donations needed for Food and Gift Program

The Costa Mesa Police Department is asking for donations for its

17th annual Food and Gift Program for needy families living in the

city. The goal is to provide a Christmas food package for 100

families and a gift for each child 12 and younger.

The department is asking for donations of money, canned food items

and unwrapped new toys before Dec. 15. These can be dropped off at

the Westside Substation, at 567 W. 18th St., between 8 a.m. and 4

p.m. Monday through Friday or at the main police station, at 99 Fair

Drive, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For more information, call (714) 327-7450.