This study is yet another example of how conventional medicine is starting to develop a greater appreciation of the strong connection between physical and emotional health.

Humor is a powerful tool and can radically improve your immune system and total health. The classic connection between humor and health is probably the 1979 best-selling book, "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration," written by Norman Cousins.

In the 1960s Cousins had an experience that changed his life. He was stricken with a crippling and life-threatening collagen disease. Cousins followed a regimen of high doses of vitamin C and positive emotions (including daily doses of belly laughter), all in consultation and partnership with his sometimes-skeptical physicians. In short, his regime worked remarkably well.

Using Humor to Approach Serious Situations

Humor can also be used to improve your marriage. There are, of course, a whole host of "typical" issues (both non-clinical and clinical) that husbands and wives encounter with one another that, when both can view them through a humorous light versus anger or offense, will help significantly to move both toward understanding and acceptance.

One classic example for men is impotency, which is a serious issue but for which many men and couples have dealt with a sense of humor. Humor doesn't reduce the seriousness of such an issue, but instead provides a far healthier way to approach it than anger (or silence).

Another classic example is women's hormonal imbalances that can lead to PMS. My significant other passed the following link to an animated video that approaches PMS with a sense of humor on to me because she found it quite funny, and I have to agree.

Those who don't understand the power of humor may find offense in this video, but just like some of the greatest comedy movies ever made that deal with profoundly serious issues in a way that engages people, the "joke" is not meant to negate the real suffering that women can through in PMS. On the contrary, it provides a way to approach it -- and for men to approach their often "being in the dark" about the serious issue -- without resorting to anger or frustration.

You can see this short animated video right now, and help improve your adrenal's optimal functioning if you find humor in it too, by going to the link below:

View the Innovative Terror Warning System For Men Now

Fortunately, most of the women who are avid followers of the the free Mercola.com newsletter do not struggle with PMS as applications of the health principles found in the articles here are one of the primary ways to improve PMS.

Other Means to Improve Your Outlook on Life

In addition to humor other excellent tools to help you maintain a positive outlook on life and the world around you include:

• Use your diet as a tool to optimize your insulin levels. Using omega-3 fish and cod liver oils and using appropriate cardiovascular exercise is absolutely essential and primary secret of extending your life span.

• Since cancer is now the number one cause of death in the US, a major hidden secret is to use optimal sun exposure to elevate your vitamin D levels to decrease your risk of cancer and increase your life span.

• Living close to nature is a helpful principle. People that do this clearly live longer and healthier lives. Step one is to eliminate all processed foods from your diet. This would also include a strong spiritual connection in your life.

• Using resvertarol, the hidden ingredient in red wine that contributes to most of its health benefits. Rather than use red wine though the discarded grape skins (pomace) that are used to make the wine may hold a major benefit to staying healthy. I am actually working on a project to make this miracle whole food available for you. I believe it is a far better choice than taking resveratrol supplements

• You can also eat more flavanoids generally. With Valentine's Day only a few days past, it is interesting that specially processed chocolate may actually be an incredible source of these useful anti aging tools.
  

Without question, as many of you already know, one of the biggest secrets has to be the energy psychology tool I use for nearly everything, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT is a psychological acupressure method that I routinely use in my practice and most highly recommend to optimize your emotional health and get your emotions back on the right track. Not only can you can use EFT to help you incorporate the principles of living longer but you can also help yourself be far more joyful and live the life that you truly want to live.

EFT is a Top Strategy to Improve Your Outlook on Life

You can use EFT is a simple and effective way to make positive affirmative statements become a reality in your life. I have listed a number of positive affirmations below that you can use while tapping on the EFT points (see my free manual) that will have an amazing ability to turn your life around. Folks, this is absolutely free. The only thing that you have to lose is the time that it takes to try them. But just think of the upside. You can turn your entire life around and start to live in radiant abundant joy:

"It's amazing how well my day goes. It is as if the Universe knows who I am and what I want and things flow to me in such a timely way. It is as if I am dancing with the Universe."

"Emergencies are non-existent in my physical experience. The people that come to me are benefiting from their exposure to me. It is as if I have a secretary in the sky that is taking care of everything and just feeding it to me with such ease and grace and comfort that my day just flows and unfolds magnificently."

"When I wake up in the morning, I am infused with the energy of well-being. I'm just glad to be alive. I can hardly wait to exercise my body and I am thankful for the time I can spend with my children."

"As I make my way to different events of my day, I experience a lovely time. I am very appreciative of all the wonderful people in my life. I am grateful for the spiritual support I receive and the angelic help that is taking care of the details and making sure that this day unfolds in a magical way."

You can also view the previous article on How to Achieve Your Optimal Health Goals by Jody Stevens, one of chief therapists at my practice for even more secrets on how to live longer and healthier.

Bottom line: We choose our mental state by how we react to events in our lives. Optimism plays a large role in your overall health and taking care of your physical health goes hand in hand with your mental health.

Additional Positive Outlook Tools

• Journaling. This is a therapeutic form of release and a powerful tool in capturing the benefits of prayer. The very act of journaling provides healing.

• Meditation. To heighten your meditation experience, I recommend getting a copy of the Insight CD. This is a brain-wave entrainment tool, which allows your brain to rapidly and easily synchronize to the delta waves commonly experienced in meditation. It does a phenomenal job of enhancing and expanding emotional, mental and spiritual capabilities.

• Prayer. I believe the spirit within us works in concert with our bodies to strengthen the whole person. Moreover, I believe that negative thoughts and emotions eventually hurt our bodies in one way or another.

Related Articles:

The Six Foundations of Healing

Positive Thoughts Work as Well as Drugs

Optimism Can Ward Off Stress

See the Glass as Half Full? Your Health Will Thank You

A Positive Mental Attitude Affects Your Health

The Secret to a Longer Life