Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.

Humour lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others and keeps you grounded, focused and alert. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and often is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships and supporting both physical and emotional health.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER