Lynne Lee asked:




It’s true, laughter is good for you. It doesn’t just make you feel good; it’s actually good for your health. Laughter therapy can turn your life around.

Research shows that laughter can improve your health, reduce stress hormones, and boost your immune system.

Medical studies show that laughter boosts levels of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and suppresses stress hormones. Laughter also increases the cells that destroy viruses and tumours.

A good laugh exercises your lungs and circulatory system and increases the amount of oxygen in your blood. It can boost your heart rate, improve blood flow, and reduce your blood pressure.

One study showed lower blood-sugar levels in diabetics when they ate a meal at a comedy show.

Studies show that anger, negative thinking and grumpiness suppress your immune system, while a good dose of laughter alleviates pain and does you good.

It’s worth training yourself to look on the bright side of things. If you habitually feel negative, anxious, or depressed, consider getting help.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22

Norman Cousins knew that negative thoughts and attitudes can result in illness. He reasoned that positive thoughts and attitudes might have the opposite effect and laughed his way out of a life threatening disease by watching funny movies. He discovered that 15 minutes of belly laughter could give him 2 hours of pain free sleep. He eventually laughed himself better.

“Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” Norman Cousins

The good news is that laughter doesn’t even need to be genuine to do you good, manufactured laughter works too.

Even smiling when you don’t feel like it will begin to change your mood and relax your body. Try it; the benefits are worth the effort.

Find ways to incorporate laughter into your day. Give yourself reasons to laugh. Surround yourself with things that make you laugh and rediscover your sense of humour. Laughter really is good for you.