Laughing and smiling could well be called the elixir of youth. It is free, easy and very good for us. A good belly laugh can beat all those abdominal exercises. It works the muscles in your face, scalp, neck and shoulders. It also helps us release endorphins (our natural opiates) that boost our immune system. Even better it lowers our stress levels by reducing the cortisol we produce. What is not to smile about.
Are you getting enough mirth in your life? Personally I find friends and family with whom I feel relaxed and who often have a similar outlook on life can trigger spontaneous bursts of laughter. Everyone has their own triggers. I am not a great fan of stand up comedians, I am more of a life situation laugher. I can often see the funny side in the most ordinary situations and have even been known to have a fit of the giggles in most inappropriate places, that shoulder shaking experience when you are desperately trying to keep a straight face, which normally makes you want to laugh more.
A good way to generate more laughter might be to stop taking ourselves so seriously, some of the best laughs I have had have been at something I have said or done that just seemed absurd. Our society puts a lot of emphasis on “left brain thinking” and being very logical. If you can get out of this way of being and allow your “right brain” more freedom of expression you may well find that it will help you to feel the funny side of life.
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