I love to laugh- ha ha ha ha

An article published by the New Zealand College of Law shares that there is good reason that laughter is often lauded as the best medicine.

The article shares that a good laugh not only lightens your mood but also offers significant benefits for your mental and physical well-being. It reduces stress, boosts your immune system, and even acts as a mini-workout for your heart and abs. Finding time each day for a hearty laugh is one of the simplest ways to inject joy into your routine and enhance your overall health.

Laughter releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which help improve your mood and reduce pain. It also lowers cortisol levels, combating stress and leaving you feeling relaxed and recharged. Plus, laughter can strengthen social bonds - sharing a joke or funny moment with friends, family, or colleagues fosters connection and improves relationships.

To make room for laughter in your day, look for opportunities that fit naturally into your routine. Watch a short comedy clip during your lunch break or find a laugh-out-loud series to watch just before turning in at night, listen to a funny podcast on your commute, or catch up with a friend who always makes you smile. Even reminiscing about past funny moments can trigger laughter.

Prioritizing laughter each day is a small but impactful habit that can significantly improve your mood, resilience, and overall sense of well-being. So go ahead, let yourself laugh, it’s the easiest and cheapest therapy there is!

So our weekly bonus challenge this week is to laugh more. You might try:

1. Watching a few minutes each day of a Netflix comedy special (I recommend Nate Bargatze)
2. Call a friend of family member to share a joke or funny story
3. Watch a re-run of a funny sitcom that you have gotten good laughs from over the years 
4. Call or meet up with a friend you can count on to say something funny and make you smile
5. Call a grand child and share some knock knock jokes 

6.   Read each day from a funny book (I recommend anything by Sophie Kinsella) 

7.   Share something funny with this group. Reply to our group e-mail and share a funny experience, a favorite comedian, a joke that makes you giggle.