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Throwing back my head and letting out a hearty laugh that empties the lungs and makes the whole body tingle with glee is one of my top two feelings.

Mike and his mate explode with laughter whilst sitting outside in a pub. Infectious isn't it.

We know intuitively that laughing is good for us, science backs this up - laughing:
  • increases the healthy function of blood vessels, 
  • leads to reductions in stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine,
  • relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after,
  • causes the brain to release endorphins that can relieve some physical pain, and
  • boosts the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system.

Laughter is also infectious, as Spike Milligan says about a smile the same goes for laughter:
Smile

Smiling is infectious
You catch it like the flu
When someone smiled at me today
I started smiling too

I walked around the corner
And someone saw me grin
When he smiled I realised
I had passed it on to him

I thought about the smile
And then realised its worth
A single smile like mine
Could travel round the earth

So if you feel a smile begin
Don’t leave it undetected
Start an epidemic
And get the world infected
Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

As kids, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. With the unnerving times we're all living in we should laugh more, not less. Seriously 😁

Laughter helps me relax and recharge, a good comedy show or podcast always makes the world feel a lot less important and overwhelming, reducing stress and increases my energy.

Laughter also shifts perspective, allowing me to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help us all avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict - and by crikey we all need that right now.

Having a good laugh when you're on your own is fantastic, when you're with others it is even better!

Laugh often, laugh at yourself, laugh with others, laugh when you're alone.


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