Hey Balanced Life Family,

Can you think of anything better than a contagious laugh that you absolutely can’t control? I’ve laughed so hard, that tears have streamed down my face. I’ve laughed so hard, I had to roll on the floor to get relief. That was quite a sight to see. Glad you didn’t witness that. Laughter can be awesome and it also has some long term health benefits.

Researchers have discovered that laughter can lower your chance of a heart attack. Laughter also boosts heart rate and the production of certain antibodies, which strengthens our immune system. Laughter has been said to lower your blood pressure. Just as getting upset (“blowing your stack”) can cause your blood pressure to rise, laughter can cause it to lower.

Want a quick work out? Laughter can work out the diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles and you’ll be so tickled you won’t even be thinking about exercise.

Laughter can certainly improve your mood. Now tell me, how can you remain angry, when a truly serious laughing spell hits. Impossible!

So if you’re feeling stressed out, you need a dose of laughter. It will definitely reduce your stress level. There’s plenty to laugh about. A good clean joke, a funny movie, a hilarious experience, and sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves.

Here are some inspirational quotes that I found on laughter:

It has been said that a good laugh is sunshine in the house.

A good laugh is cheap medicine.

An optimist laughs to forget; a pessimist forgets to laugh.

As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul.

In this world, a good time to laugh is any time you can.

Laughter ignites a fire within the pit of your belly and awakens your being.

A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh burst forth from the soul, and bubbles all around.

Laughter won’t make your problems go away, but it will sure give you a little relief and a better disposition so that you can deal with them. So come on, stop stressing so much. Loose that “stone face” expression. Where’s your sense of humor? You can do it. You’ll feel better. LAUGH!