Don't forget to laugh!

Encountering stress is simply a fact of life. We have all heard the old adage "Laughter is the best medicine" when it comes to dealing with stress, but many people don't realize just how truthful this saying can actually be. A good laugh can trigger many positive emotional and physical changes in the body, while also enhancing the social aspects of our lives. Best of all, this "medicine" is fun and free to use!

Finding time to laugh is very beneficial to your physical health in many ways. Studies have shown that good, hearty laughter relaxes the whole body, relieving tension and stress, and leaving the muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes. It is also good for the heart. Laughter increases blood flow and improves the function of blood vessels, which can help prevent cardiovascular problems in the future. It is known to boost the immune system by increasing the production of immune cells and antibodies, as well as releasing endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, which can provide the body with an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Every bit as important as the physical aspect of health is emotional health. Humor can play a tremendous role in reducing distressing emotions. You can't feel anxious, angry, or sad when laughing. It also reduces stress and increases energy, allowing you to stay focused and get more things accomplished. Laughter allows you to see things in a more realistic and less intimidating light, which can help you feel less overwhelmed.

Humor and laughter can be very powerful tools in strengthening your relationships with others. Laughing with others creates a strong positive bond with them. Shared laughter adds joy, vitality, and resilience to these bonds, which can help heal disagreements and resentments. It also lets you forget judgments, criticisms, doubts, and your fear of holding back disappears. Mutual laughter is an essential component of healthy, lasting relationships.

There are many ways you can incorporate laughter into your life. Practice smiling anytime you see or hear anything even mildly pleasing. Smiling is the precursor to laughter. Make it a point to spend time with fun people that have great senses of humor. Their playfulness can be contagious. Bring humor into your conversations. Ask someone about the funniest thing that happened to him or her on that particular day. Watching a funny movie, TV show, or even playing with a pet, can all be great ways to foster laughter as well.

By setting aside specific times to seek out humor and laughter in life, you will eventually want to integrate it into everything you do. You will discover more ways to laugh, which will allow you to live your life in a much more positive way.

Source: www.helpguide.org