8 Reasons we just can’t stop laughing

As Victor Hugo wisely quoted: “ Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered especially these days. A life without humor is no joking matter. We all love a good laugh and the feeling it gives us — and there is a reason — there are true health benefits to a good giggle or hearty chuckle that can be essential to our well-being.

UCLA Medical School established a Humor Research Task Force after Norman Cousins managed his pain with laughter therapy and now there is actually an American Association of Therapeutic Humor. Babies begin to smile within the first few weeks of life and laugh out loud within months of being born. Children laugh on average 200 times a day whereas adults only 26 times daily. Experts recommend that we get a good 15 minutes of deep belly laughter every day and here’s why…

• Laughter attracts us to one another and in turn makes us more attractive and sociable. Think of the feeling you get from telling a good joke and having people respond favorably.
• Laughter is relaxing, relieves stress, tension, pain, and conflict and inspires hope. It triggers the release of happy hormones — endorphins that activate the body’s opiate receptors causing an analgesic, calming effect.