When we laugh we alleviate depression, lower our blood pressure, promote relaxation and reduce stress. Laughing increase the oxygen level in our blood, giving us more energy. Laughing increase the endorphin activity in our body resulting in a sense of well-being. When we laugh we are able to keep things in perspective and banish boredom. Laughing allows us to be more socially attractive. Many people enjoy being with those who laugh easily and often. When we laugh we immeasurably increase our enjoyment of life. Laughter has been called social glue because it bonds us to the people we laugh with. Laughter enhances every aspect of life and is a symptom of health and well-being. It is a way of getting off the downward spiral of negativity. Laughter is so good for us that medical researchers have started to take it seriously. Many books and articles have been written on the subject. Many people claimed their sense of humor saved their lives. Without humor, I think we don't have much of a life.
Laughing is healthy; a good long hard laugh is like an internal jogging. It gets the heart beating faster, brings in extra oxygen and stimulates blood circulation. Laughing activates the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands. This result in the production of endorphins internally produced morphine-like molecules, which makes us feel better. The whole body relaxes and disease fighting immune cells reproduces like crazy. With all these benefits, I think Doctors should prescribe laughter as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of illness and disease. Norman Cousins wrote about his experience with life-saving laughter in Anatomy of an Illness. He believed that laughter, along with hope, faith, will to live, purpose, and determination can assist medical science in overcoming life-threatening diseases. Laughter won't prevent us from dying in the long run, but it may increase life expectancy. It certainly adds to the quality of life.
