| Most people would agree that laughter is good for you | | | | Humor brings people together and makes for a more |
| in every possible way. Scientific research on laughter | | | | relaxed atmosphere. Everyone enjoys being |
| suggests that there are many exceptional benefits to | | | | entertained and laughing is very entertaining (and |
| a good sense of humor and a good laugh. The old | | | | contagious). |
| expression, "laughter is the best medicine", is not just a | | | | Developing a sense of humor can stave off |
| cliché, but has real scientific merit. | | | | depression by replacing negative feelings with |
| What happens when we laugh? | | | | pleasurable emotions. |
| Our physiology changes: | | | | Humor seems to boost our energy level. When we |
| Our blood pressure and pulse immediately go up but | | | | laugh and have fun we are apt to engage in more |
| then come down to a lower level than before. The | | | | activities. |
| more often you laugh the more likely your pulse and | | | | Humor "breaks the ice" and can help people get to |
| blood pressure will improve. | | | | know each other more easily. When meeting |
| Our breathing is improved. Laughter causes us to | | | | someone for the first time it is always better to share |
| breathe deeper than before, sending more oxygen into | | | | a laugh than a complaint. |
| the bloodstream and nutrients throughout our system. | | | | How to develop a sense of humor. |
| Most of us breathe with shallow breaths and need to | | | | Try becoming friendlier: Everyday make it a goal to |
| deepen those breaths frequently to maximize the | | | | engage a stranger (or friend or family member) with a |
| benefits of oxygenation. | | | | "good morning", "how are you?" or a "you look great |
| Production of our stress hormones decreases and our | | | | today". Making small positive connections with others |
| immune system is therefore better able to defend | | | | lifts the spirits and creates an atmosphere for humor |
| against disease. | | | | to develop.. |
| There is a system wide increase in protein molecules | | | | Smile often: Whenever you make eye contact with |
| or disease fighting antibodies. Researchers are now | | | | someone smile at them. It is a small pleasantry that |
| studying the positive effect laughter may have on | | | | helps to keep morale and spirits high. |
| production of these antibodies as they relate to fighting | | | | Learn to laugh everyday: Listen to your favorite |
| cancer. | | | | comedian, associate with people who enjoy humor, try |
| People with a good sense of humor who laugh every | | | | to view things from a humorous perspective and |
| day are more likely to have healthier hearts. A study | | | | simply "lighten up"! |
| by the University of Maryland found that people with | | | | Don't take yourself too seriously: Notice the silly things |
| heart disease had been 40% less likely to laugh or | | | | you do, notice how vain you are, notice how many |
| smile in general. The researchers concluded that | | | | things are really not that important and notice whether |
| laughing is likely to protect the heart. | | | | or not you are a little too uptight for your own good |
| Laughter helps oxygenate the blood and improve brain | | | | and then begin to poke some fun at yourself. |
| functioning. Some studies have shown that after | | | | Try saying something funny: Once you have noticed |
| laughing subjects show some improvement in their | | | | some of the more comical things in your world, try |
| ability to grasp learning new material, suggesting | | | | pointing them out to friends. Consider engaging in more |
| improvement in the learning centers of the brain. | | | | humor laden conversations, even about the economy |
| What are some of the other benefits? | | | | (although that may be a stretch for an amateur), |
| Humor and laughter can help to diffuse anger. Most | | | | politics or any subject you like. |
| tense situations can be softened by injecting some | | | | Having a sense of humor is essential for enjoying your |
| humor at the right time. | | | | life. It will help relieve stress, enhance your relationships |
| Humor relieves stress and can help a person develop | | | | and it may even extend your life. If you already have a |
| a better perspective. It is often far better to appreciate | | | | sense of humor, use it as often as possible. If you |
| the more comical side of things than the serious side. | | | | don't, then develop one as soon as possible. |