The research also suggested that the longer a patient suffers with feeling of sadness or being depressed, the stronger the relationship with breast cancer becomes.  The research is published in the journals Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health.

The risk of breast cancer is increased by as much as 12% for women who wrestle with depression.  Another study found that these women are more than two and a half times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who are not depressed.

These findings are extremely disturbing.  One problem is that the news itself is depressing.  It seems like the unhappy souls that are afflicted with this are trapped in a vicious cycle.

One idea might be to be more proactive in taking steps to overcome depression.  Much easier to say than accomplish, I’m sure, but definitely worth a try.  Especially for the loved ones who care about these women.

Two resources I’ve seen recently are the world laughter tour, an online resource that focuses on the power of laughter to improve our health; and emotion release, a new resource for learning how to overcome mild depression and feelings of sadness.

The threat of breast cancer is a constant enemy lurking in the shadows of many women’s lives.  The fact that depression can be a contributing factor is even more unsettling.

So take what steps you can to change your mood (or help someone you love to change theirs).  The long-term effects of their unhappiness can take a bigger toll on their health than we realize.

Stay Healthy.

When was the last time you laughed?  Did you know that it’s good for you?  Well, there is more and more research showing that it is.

A recent study at the University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that laughter may be beneficial in the prevention of heart attacks.  Funny, don’t you think? 

It makes sense to me.  I mean, when you laugh, you’re releasing all kinds of beneficial endorphins into your bloodstream, you’re bringing in more oxygen, you’re working your muscles, plus you’re having a pretty good time while you’re doing it.

The researchers found that the patients they interviewed who had suffered from a heart attack, were less likely to laugh or "respond humorously" than patients without heart trouble.

The study has some important implications in our society where heart disease has become the number one killer in the US.  Sounds like we’re taking things WAY too seriously.

As an experiment of my own, I dare you … right now … to go over and stare into the mirror and laugh out loud as hard as you can for a full 30 seconds. Fake it if you have to.  (Come on … I "double dog" dare you.  We used to say that as kids; I’m still not sure what it means, but it’s fun to say.) 

If you do this, I GUARANTEE you’ll be smiling afterwards.  And who knows, I might have just saved you from having a heart attack.

So as we approach the holidays, have a good laugh or two.  It’ll be good for your heart in more ways than one.

Stay Healthy.