Dr. Steve Info: Friday

Telling us about the importance of laughter and practicing what he preaches, Dr. Steve takes a moment before he goes on air to smile with producer Lorraine. Do you have a question for Dr. Steve, CLICK HERE

7:00am Segment Info: Laughter & Sleep
Sleep is so important for good health and these days it seems like there are more sleeping pills being marketed directly to consumers than ever before, but a good night's sleep doesn't have to come from a pill.

Studies show that for people with chronic insomnia sometimes some simple behavioral and psychological treatments work just as well and even better than medication without side effects. I know what you're saying.. They're too simple.. They're not going to work. But according to the American Journal of Psychiatry an analysis of 21 studies showed that behavioral treatment helped people fall asleep nearly nine minutes sooner than sleep drugs. And sleep therapy worked just as well as drugs, but without any side effects.

WATCH THE VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP

Give us some of these tips.

One of the most important things that people don't even consider is stimulus control. And TV is the worst culprit. So don't watch TV in bed and don't eat in bed. If you're going to read don't read unless it relaxes you. Also don't go to bed until you are sleepy. Get on a schedule and get up at the same time every day, and don't nap. If you're lying in bed and you can't sleep experts say don't keep tossing and turning. Don't keep staring at the clock. After 15 minutes get out of bed and do something relaxing. Keep your room dark. Get some regular exercise and avoid alcohol or caffeine 6 hours before bedtime.

SLEEP INFO WEBSITE: sleepfoundation.org

We definitely don't get enough sleep around here, but we do have a lot of fun. And all that laughing is good for you isn't it.

It is, while it can't cure a cold it does do a lot for overall health. Researchers say laughter lightens your load mentally and stimulates the organs.

You take in more oxygen, which stimulates the heart, lungs and muscles and increases the release of endorphins, which are part of the stress response. After a good bellylaugh you relax and feel good.

Can it relieve aches and pains?

It can. Studies show laughter can ease digestion, stimulate circulation and ease mild stomachaches. It's also a good pick me up and helps boost your immune system. It's a very positive way to be. The opposite being negative has harmful effects. We know that negative thoughts and emotions manifest themselves as chemical reactions that actually increase stress and impair your immune system. Finally laughter is a great coping mechanism. Besides studies showing it helps people with cancer, HIV and pain management. A study of emergency room nurses found those who used humor to deal with the everyday stress of their job had greater job satisfaction.

8:00am Ask The Doctor:

1. How can I tell the difference between a cold and allergies? I don't want to take the wrong medication.
Jamie from the Bronx

Jamie both a cold and allergies can cause itching in the eyes and nose.. And both can cause a runny nose so it can be hard to tell the difference. Allergies usually appear immediately after exposure to an allergen and last as long as you're exposed to it. A cold usually starts out slow and worsen as the day goes on, and colds usually only last about a week to 10 days. Also, allergies should not give you fever or muscle aches... Colds can. If you get a runny nose after being out in the cold, it may not be a cold or allergies instead it may be vasomotor rhinitis, it usually happens when there's a change in temperature or humidity harsh odors or smoke.

2. What makes a food "organic"? Are organic foods really better for you?
S. Streete from Brooklyn

According to the us department of agriculture organic food is produced by farmers who enhance the environment through conservation of resources like water and soil. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food like produce is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. If a food is labeled organic, that means the farm that it came from was inspected by the government and has met all the USDA organic standards. The USDA does not claim that it's healthier, but what do you think?

3. I’m an avid walker and exercising and have trouble with my feet. Can you give me suggestions on how to prevent this?
Shelly from Manhattan

Ah the agony of de-feet. Shelly, if you have foot trouble, it can affect your entire body because the problems can travel up your spine. Most times if people have trouble with their feet during exercise, they're not wearing the proper shoes or don't have proper support. So invest in the right shoes for your activity and see a podiatrist. You may need orthotics to help you smooth things out.