Why Laughter Really is the Best Medicine. It Actually Can Improve the Quality of Your Life

It's hard to find things to laugh about for most of us today. There is an old saying that says "Laughter is the best medicine" and it turns out that it's true.

Everything in the world around us right now is depressing. The economy is doing a belly-flop in the shallow end of the pool. People are losing their homes, their jobs and even their marriages because of the constant stress we are all under everyday.

Studies have shown that laughter can:

1) Reduce stress. Reducing stress is good especially if you feel tempted to jam a pen in the side of someone's head more than once a week.

2) Increase blood flow- which is like exercising without getting up- you have to like that.

3) Release endorphins- Endorphins have painkilling and tranquillizing effects on the body. It's not to say you won't need medication if you suffer from pain but laughter can help reduce pain. If you are laughing so much your sides hurt, you may need to calm down for a minute- or laugh harder, I don't know.

4) Strengthen your immune system- It has been proven that all negative things have an effect on our immune systems- stress, anxiety, depression- wanting to jam a pen into the side of someone's head. Laughter is a positive thing and that can help strengthen the immune system.

5) It builds up facial muscles in our faces so we appear younger- no going under the knife or having poison injected into our face.

6) Alleviate depression- Self explanatory. You either laugh or cry, right?

7) Improve lung capacity- If you are laughing, you are breathing deeper and harder. It's like jogging while sitting on the couch.

8) Improve relationships- It's hard to have a fight with someone you are sharing a laugh with.

These are all good things. The first step is to put everything that is troubling you to one side. I know this is the most difficult part; I have a lot on my mind too. But you can do it.

Clear your mind, take a few breaths and try to relax. The next step is finding something to laugh about.

What is there to laugh about?

On-line laughs:

1) Babies- because their heads are too big for their bodies it makes them top-heavy and the flop over a lot. They throw out their arms and their eyes get really big. Really, watch the expression on a babies face when they topple over- it's a riot. (I know that is mean, but it's honest.) You can find videos with a quick Google search.

2) Go to YouTube.com and search for 'comedians'. My personal favorites are Dane Cook, Robin Williams and George Carlin. They have clips from their stand-up routines that will surely make you laugh.

3) Do a Google search for "humor blogs". You're sure to find some funny websites. *Ehem*

4) Go to http://icanhascheezburger.com/. This is one of my favorite sites when I am feeling down. Loaded with cute kittens doing silly things. http://www.cuteoverload.com/ is another great site.

Off-line laughs:

1) Good humor based books. Ellen DeGeneres, Dave Barry, Erma Bombeck, Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, and Bill Engvall just to name a few.

2) Go to a comedy club- a great way to spend an evening. If the comedian stinks, you can get drunk and he'll seem funny.

3) Listen to a comedy station on Sirius XM radio. There is a great variety of comedy for everyone.

4) Go big ball bowling with a kid. Watching a kid trying to hold on to and throw a big bowling ball is funny as anything.

5) Just walk into a room with people and start laughing. Laughter is contagious and even if nothing funny happened, soon people will be laughing too so it won't matter. You will be a hero because you just improved and lengthened their lives without them realising it.

Live longer with laughter. It really is the best medicine. Either way, it certainly can't hurt anything, right?

Sources: Personal experience,

http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/laughter.htm,

http://www.latterklub.dk/htm/artikel_%20health_benefits_of_laughter_therapy.htm