There’s no doubt about it, laughing feels good! Laughter has a way of lifting your spirits like nothing else can. It’s such a simple experience and one that your mind and body benefit from. It’s amazing what a big dose of laughter can do to improve your mood and increase your overall happiness. In addition to feeling good, laughter has real health benefits.

Laughter stimulates many organs – Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.

Laughter activates and relieves your stress response – A lively laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response and increases your heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in a great, relaxed feeling.

Laughter soothes tension – Laughter can stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Laughter improves your immune system – Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.

Laughter relieves pain – Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. Laughter may also break the pain-spasm cycle common to some muscle disorders.

Laughter increases personal satisfaction – Laughter can make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.

Go ahead, find something to laugh about today!