LOL! It's good for you

Eisha SarkarPosted on Hello Wellness on Jan 15, 2011
Remember the time when you were in school and the girl/boy next to you started giggling. You probably didn't get the humour, but the sight of him/her laughing triggered you to join in as well. Soon there were six of you trying hard not to laugh out loud. Laughter is more contagious than most diseases can be. And it's much better for you than you think. A good belly laugh:

• Reduces stress: A good, hearty laugh relieves stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter also 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
• 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
• Lowers BP: While you're laughing, your blood pressure first rises. But after that hearty ha-ha, your blood pressure drops to a level that's healthier than before you laughed
• Is a workout: Laughing gives your abdomen and diaphragm a good workout. The muscles of your thorax, neck, shoulders, face, and scalp also benefit from the exercise
• Strengthens immunity: By decreasing stress hormones, humour and laughter increase infection-fighting antibodies
• Keeps negative thoughts away: Humour distracts you from negative emotions, changes your  perspective and makes you feel more energetic
• Connects you with others: Laugh and the world laughs with you. A sense of humour attracts others who want to be around cheerful, positive people

Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts and your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside. Humour allows deeply felt emotions to rise to the surface. It gets you out of your head and away from your troubles!