May 8th, 2009 
Nyomi Graef 
There’s nothing quite like a good laugh to lift our spirits and warm our souls.
Dr. Lee Berk and colleagues, at Loma Linda University in California, study the link between laughter and health. Over the past few decades they’ve discovered lots of good news about the benefits of laughing.
We all know laughter’s good for us, but did you know it lowers blood pressure, increases muscle flexibility and triggers the release of natural chemicals that make us feel happy?
A good laugh can also stop the flow of stress hormones. These are the fight-or-flight compounds we produce when we’re stressed and angry. High levels of stress hormones suppress the immune system, raise blood pressure and increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Laughter has a strong effect on the immune system. It raises gamma-interferon, T-cells and B-cells, which are all involved in fighting disease.
Merely anticipating laughter is enough to produce more of the hormones that boost the immune system and make us happy. That’s right – just thinking that we’re going to laugh is good for our health.
Laughing might also reduce inflammation, increase good cholesterol and improve blood flow around the body.
Laughter, along with a sense of humor, might help protect against heart attacks, according to a study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The study is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease.
Impressive!
Laugh more. Stress less. Be happy!
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