It’s no joke but we all have a couple of powerful health tools inside of us that need to be released regularly – laughter and a sense of humor. There is nothing quite as contagious and as much fun as the sound of boisterous laughter among friends. A good sense of humor and the ability to laugh in all situations is the tie that binds us together increasing happiness and flooding us with a tremendous amount of feel-good endorphins.

This priceless fun and free gift we all possess can be used anytime, anywhere to get us through the toughest situations in life in addition to boosting the happiness we feel when times are good.

Laughter and humor are also vital tools in supporting our health both physically and emotionally. Learning to “laugh in the face of danger” can aid us in our quest to become and remain as healthy as we can. This powerful antidote can work wonders in relieving stress and pain and is a tremendous resource we can rely on during difficult situations.

What exactly does laughter and having a healthy sense of humor do for our health? Why is it so good for us to have the ability to find humor and to laugh out loud?

· It relaxes the body

Have you ever had a really good belly laugh engaging not just your smile but your entire body? The kind where you feel like you just ran a mile but you feel great! That hearty fit of laughter relieves physical tension relaxing muscles for up to 45 minutes later.

· Boosts the immune system

Our immune system can use all the boosting it can get and what a more fun way to do so than to laugh – frequently. When we laugh it decreases stress hormones while increasing immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies making you more resistant to disease.

· Triggers the release of endorphins

The feel-good chemicals of endorphins have that special ability to relive pain and promote an overall sense of well-being and peace.

· Laughter protects the heart

Laughing it up is one way to get and keep a strong heart. When we laugh it improves the function of blood vessels increasing blood flow which can protect against a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues.

· Improves brain function

Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning by easing muscle tension and psychological stress. This keeps the brain alert allowing you to retain more information.

· Enhances respiration

You know that feeling you get after a good belly laugh like you just when out for a jog? All that laughing empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect – similar to deep-breathing. This deep breathing sends more oxygen-enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.

· Relieves pain

Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. Engaging in a good belly laugh allows a person to “forget” about pain such as those associated with aches, arthritis, etc.

· Increases personal satisfaction

In coping with difficult situations, laughter may be your answer. The ability to “laugh” in the face of trial can help you to cope when times get tough. Laughter and humor connect us to others, foster relationships, rejuvenates and regenerates our energy, and makes us feel good.

Amazingly strange but true facts you never knew about laughter

· Children born deaf and blind still have the ability to laugh

· Couples who tackle stressful situations with laughter not only feel better in the moment, but have higher levels of relationship satisfaction and stay together longer than couples who rarely crack a smile.

· Anyone looking to burn a few extra calories? Laugh it up. Just 10 to 15 minutes of laughing a day can burn up to 40 calories – maybe not much but still something. Researchers determined that the increase in heart rate and oxygen consumption during these funny moments boosted the brain.

· Laughter is contagious. It is hard not to join in when around others who are laughing hysterically.

· Having a sense of humor is considered to be attractive to others. A study of personal ads found that both men and women specified a sense of humor more frequently than intelligence, education, professions or sexual drive as what attracted them to someone else.

· On average, a child laughs 300 times a day while an adult laughs only 17 times a day.

· Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 report laughing the most.

· Babies start to laugh at about four months of age.

· Laughter is not just for human beings – chimpanzees show laughter-like behavior in response to physical contact such as wrestling, chasing, or tickling. Even rats have been found to make short, high-frequency vocalization during rough-and-tumble play and when tickled.