Humor is infectious! The sound of
roaring laughter is far more contagious
than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze.
When laughter is shared, it binds people together, increases happiness and intimacy; it also triggers healthy physical changes in the body, strengthens your immune system,
boosts your energy, diminishes pain, and
protects you from the damaging effects
of stress.
Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use!
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain
that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” ˜Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
Nothing works faster to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. It lightens burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting
problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional
health.
Physical Health Benefits of Laughter
• Laughter relaxes the whole body.
A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and
infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving
your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel- good chemicals.
Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily
relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart.
Laughter improves the function of blood
vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Social Health Benefits of Laughter
•Strengthens Relationships
•Attracts others to us
•Enhances teamwork
•Helps defuse conflict
•Promotes group bonding
- Humor and playful communication strengthen our relationships by triggering
positive feelings and fostering emotional connection. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer
against stress, disagreements, and disappointment.
"Laughing with others is more powerful than
laughing alone"
Creating opportunities to Laugh:
•Watch a funny movie or TV show,
•Go to a comedy club
•Read funny pages/books
•Seek out funny people
•Share a good joke or a funny story
•Host game night with friends
•Play with a pet
•Go to a "laughter yoga" class
•Goof around with children
•Do something silly
•Make time for fun activities (e.g.
bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke)
"Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting."
All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter and play also adds joy, vitality, and
resilience. And humor is a
powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts.
Laughter unites people during
difficult times.
Incorporating more humor and play into your daily interactions can improve the quality of your love relationships—as well as
your connections with co-
workers, family members, and
friends.
Using humor and laughter in relationships allows you to:
• Be more spontaneous.
Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.
•Let go of defensiveness.
Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
•Release inhibitions.
Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.
•Express your true feelings.
Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface
