Nine Reasons to Keep on Laughing!

Written by Carrie Wiwcharuk, author of Tea Time.
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing! Michael Pritchard
Watching that funny movie that has you in stitches is not just fun, it is healthy!
Hear are nine great things that happen when you laugh!
1. Laughing reduces stress by decreasing stress hormones.
2. Laughing decreases your blood pressure.
3. Laughing elevates your mood.
4. Laughing boosts your immune system.
5. Laughing improves brain functioning.
6. Laughing protects your heart.
7. Laughing helps connect you to others.
8. Laughing helps you instantly relax.
9. Laughing makes you feel good.
According to Help Guide, it is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.
Keep on the funny side of life:
SMILE: The definition of smile, according to The Concise Oxford Dictionary, is to relax the features into a pleased or kind or gently sceptical expression or a forced imitation of these, usually with the lips parted and the corners of the mouth turned up. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, doing the action can lead the way to the feeling.
KEEP LAUGHING COMPANIONS: You cannot help but catch the giggles from the people around you!
START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL: Listing the things that you are grateful for can help eliminate negativity which can be a barrier to laughing.
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUGH: Include funny movies and T.V. shows, comedy clubs, and books with humour into your life.
Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system.
Michael Miller, University of Maryland Medical Center
Laughing is a free and fun way to feel good, emotionally and physically!
On that note, where did the spaghetti go to dance? ……. The meat ball! Get it…..O.K. maybe not.

Resources: Help Guide, About.com, Stress About.com, The Mayo Clinic
Looking for some new jokes, check out Good Clean Funnies List and Yahooligans!