Bouncing on a trampoline makes you happy

A close friend pointed out to me recently why exercise on a trampoline is so much more fun and enjoyable than exercising in other ways.   The reason is related to another comment someone made to me a few years ago saying that it is nearly impossible to bounce on a trampoline without smiling.  The reason my close friend gave is that you very often see people bouncing on a trampoline laughing and smiling but how often do you see people laughing and smiling when exercising in other ways.    Do you see people laughing and smiling as they jog or as they swim?   When did you last see someone laughing and smiling as they cycled or worked out on a weights machine?

For some reason trampolining get the “happy hormones” going.    I think this is because the bouncing motion is quite thrilling and makes people excited. It is also alot of fun and this makes them happy.  This is one reason why trampolining is so popular and why it is a great form of exercise – because it is fun!   And it makes you happy!

Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell happy on a trampoline

One customer once told me that the trampoline “had transformed her life”.  Her children used to come home from school in an irritable mood but they were different people after playing on the trampoline for 10 minutes.   I think many parents have had similar experiences which leads to them telling us frequently that “the trampoline was the best present they ever bought for their children”.  But of course the trampoline is not just for children and is a great exercise tool for the whole family to use.  Try it and see how it improves your mood.

There is lots of material on the internet about why laughing is so good for you.  Reasons include:

• Laughing boosts your immune system – research has shown that laughing actually increases the number of antibody producing T-cells, making you less likely to get bugs like colds and coughs, and lowers the levels of at least four hormones linked with stress.
• Laughing relieves pain- laughing releases feelgood endorphins which counter pain.
• Laughing improves your social life.
• Laughter helps relieve depression – laughing reduces tension and stress and lowers anxiety and irritation levels.
• Laughing gives you a mini-workout – a good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts your abdominal muscles and will also works your shoulders, which will make you feel a lot more relaxed.  In fact, laughing 100 times is the equivalent to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
• Laughing protects your heart - laughter has been found to benefit the way blood flows around the body, reducing the likelihood of heart disease.  Research done at the University of Maryland, said that 15 minutes of laughter a day is as important for your heart as 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week!
• Laughter lowers your blood pressure - People who laugh lots on a regular basis have lower blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, the blood pressure increases at first, but then it decreases to levels below normal.  Breathing then becomes deeper and this helps to send oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body.
• Laughing improves breathing – laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect – similar to deep breathing. This is especially helpful for people who are suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
• Laughing helps you lose weight - burning off calories by laughing might not sound as if it has much use, but a hearty chuckle raises the heart rate and speeds up the metabolism.

So, when you are next bouncing on a trampoline think about how happy it is making you, think about laughing and then how much extra good that is doing for you.  And if you don’t have a trampoline give us a call and order one on the Trampo-line 0800 032 5879.   We’d love to hear from you.

Author: Bob Bounce