Go On. Laugh.

Who doesn't love a good laugh? I certainly do. In fact, I thrive on laughter most days. Whether it is giggling over that daily dose of online cuteness, or having a hearty guffaw with friends over a meal, laughter is one of the most enjoyable things to do. But besides being so much fun, laughter brings a lot of bonus benefits.

If you are wondering why laughter is so important, there are many reasons, not the least of which is better health. Which is why you keep hearing the line: laughter is the best medicine. It is!

Laughter ...

Relieves Tension and Eases Stress Levels

Normal stress is okay, but did you know stress can actually be a trigger factor for death? Those who experience high amounts of stress or face it on a daily basis are in more danger of developing stress-related disorders such as depression. Those who suffer from depression are at greater risk of committing suicide. In a number of reports, AASRA says 50 percent of our workforce is afflicted with stress, of which 30 percent complain of an upset stomach or nausea as a result of stress.

Strengthens Your Immune System

IndiaDiets talks about Laughter Therapy as a viable course of treatment for those who suffer from stress and other anxiety disorders. In addition, laughter can do wonders for your lung capacity, increasing oxygen levels in the blood and lowering the chances of you catching a potentially life-threatening asthma attack or succumbing to a nasty bout of bronchitis. Sweet!

Releases Endorphins in Your System

Another positive benefit laughter has on your body is inducing your brain to release endorphins. Endorphins give you that happy buzz, giving you that wonderful, satisfied feeling. I can vouch for that! A good belly laugh does more than any medication can achieve!

Prevents Suicides

Suicide estimates from AASRA point to a devastating conclusion. By 2020, suicide rates could hit-if not be well over-1.5 million. WHO Assistant Director General Dr. Catherine Le Gals-Camus of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health stated that death by suicide was, by far, the most leading cause of death compared to homicides and wars on a global scale. How sad!

Helps You Develop a Positive Attitude

Laughter helps you gain a more positive attitude towards life. It's surprising how a sincere smile can change the dynamics of a situation. If you lead with a smile, people are more likely to be in an agreeable frame of mind when you deal with them. That's why a shared moment of amusement or laughter goes a long way to breaking the ice when you meet with people for the first time. Even a fake smile works better than no smile at all.

Makes Time Pass Quickly

Waiting in line? A bit too early for an appointment and you've got an hour or two to kill before you head over to your meeting? Well then, why not spend your time reading through funny pages online? I have a Gujju friend who adores Gujarati Jokes from Divya Bhaskar (I usually translate this page to get my laughs) When I have minutes or hours to kill, instead of letting my impatience get the better of me, I spend the time reading something funny or gut-wrenchingly hilarious. No surprise that the hours go by quickly. Which is why one of P G Wodehouse's books has permanent residence in my tote.

Boosts Your Mood

Feeling down? Laughter is a great way to get you right back in the mood. When you feel sad, anxious or out-of-sorts, when you feel like things couldn't get any worse, an easy way to break through all the anxiety is to laugh it all off. Easier said than done, right? However, studies from worldwide institutions like the Mayo Clinic say that laughter is effective in reducing your depression and anxiety.

So, dear folks, make it a habit to laugh! Life is too short to frown. If you need a trigger, just go watch a video of babies laughing.

Because life is truly better when you are laughing.

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Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury