When it comes to my personal Facebook account, a lot of my time spent on the site is me scrolling through memes, images that provoke positive emotions, or just humorous posts. I also use my account to be
involved in groups, Marketplace, and Messenger; but my time is mainly invested in looking for posts that get me to experience those feel-good chemicals called endorphins. So, to answer the prompt: endorphins are why I purposely scroll through my FB timeline every now and then.
At a touch of a button, I can initiate a flood of smiling and laughter that helps with physical tension and lessen the stress hormone, cortisol. Just the act of smiling produces endorphins and other feel-good neurotransmitters that act as natural pain relievers. If you smile, even a forced smile, it tricks the brain into producing organic hormones that aid in relaxing your body and lower your heart rate/blood pressure. There are just so many benefits of smiling and laughing!
Disclosure: The other day my roommate asked why I was scrolling though old pictures? I told her it was because the pictures made me smile. I gave her an example and showed her a picture of my dog, Milo, as a puppy. She smiled. What does this say to me? Well, if she actually didn’t think a picture of Milo was as cute as I thought it to be, she still smiled, nonetheless. My smiling caused a ripple effect. My smiling caused curiosity and ultimately triggered someone else into smiling.
So, take my previous example about the picture and apply it to a Facebook timeline. I know I am a hilarious person, at least that’s what I tell myself and others seem to agree. I share posts on Facebook I think others might also enjoy. So if we add 1 +1, it equals me scrolling through my timeline every now and then. Maybe I know someone who’s humor is compatible to mine, should I check out that person’s timeline as well? Think about it. And while you are thinking about that, also keep an eye out for how many times you laugh during the next day/week/month. Who makes you smile? What does all that say to you?
-Brianda
Also check this article from the Mayo Clinic! It has more great information about laughter: Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke
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