By: Peter Yurek, Chief Entertainment Officer

Have you heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”? It is true! While it is fun to share a laugh, humour can also improve your physical and mental health, as well as enhance your social relationships.

Physical benefits:

• Boosts immunity by increasing immune cells and antibodies.
• Lowers stress hormones.
• Decreases pain through the release of endorphins.
• Relaxes your muscles by relieving physical tension.
• Prevents heart disease by increasing blood flow and improving the function of blood vessels.
• May even burn some calories and increase your lifespan.

Mental benefits:

• Adds joy and zest to life.
• Eases anxiety and tension since you can’t feel sad, worried, or angry when you laugh.
• Relieves stress and increases energy so you stay focussed and accomplish more.
• Improves mood by creating positive feelings.
• Strengthens resilience by helping you keep a positive, optimistic outlook.

Social benefits:

• Bolsters relationships by adding joy, vitality and resilience.
• Attracts others to us because laughter is contagious.
• Enhances teamwork by triggering positive feelings.
• Helps defuse conflict by healing resentments, disagreements and hurts.
• Promotes group bonding by fostering emotional connection.

Need to add more humour and laughter to your life?

• Begin with smiling more. It is contagious.
• Count your blessings.
• Seek out laughter and find out what is so funny.
• Surround yourself with photos or items that make you smile.
• Spend time with people who laugh easily.
• Bring humour into conversations. Retell jokes and funny stories.
• Remember to laugh at yourself.
• Don’t dwell on negative situations.
• Find your inner child.
• Don’t go a day without laughing.

Laughter can heal many hurts and it is fun, free and easy to use! Next time you are feeling overwhelmed with life, try a little humour to lighten your load, brighten your way and improve your health!