by Erin Yarrobino

Created on: August 16, 2008

There is not one person on earth who enjoys laughing and making people laugh more than me. I see that both give you the same kind of happiness. I have been raised on comedy television since I was in elementary school, and comedy will always be a large part of who I am. It gets you through rough times, and also celebrates with you when times are good. I am always going to have a soft spot for comedy. This is also a great way to wind down after a long, hard day at work. It is the next best thing to having a friend with you to relax you.

Laughing reduces stress. Stress is a killer. It could take years off your life. It is also a major cause of high blood pressure which leads to heart attacks, strokes, and even heart disease. There is a chemical released in the brain called dopamine which spreads throughout your body when you laugh. Within seconds, your heart rate drops, and your risk for any complication listed above automatically goes down. Of course, it is always better to laugh with someone, and this is why having close people around you lowers stress and promotes more laughing. Think of it as your secret weapon for living a long life.

Laughing helps to stregthen your immune system by releasing oxygen throughout your body. Your cells get the oxygen they need to live and die, and then some fresh cells are made. These cells are now packed with the nutrients they deserve. This helps to avoid serious diseases like cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease. When you are laughing, you are still thinking about what was funny, and this keeps your brain sharp by being alert. I like having a clear mind, and this is especially beneficial at nighttime when I am trying to go to sleep, and I am thinking about so many things I must get done the next day. When your mind is clear, you will sleep through the night, and have better dreams. This gives your conscious mind more energy for dealing with it the next day.

Laughing does more for you than a massage or a hot bath could do. It is not hard to do. It only takes some listening in on your part. It is also free, and this is what people mean when they say the best things in life are free. You pay nothing to laugh, but the benefits last a lifetime and do not have to be reviewed. Watching other people laugh has a great effect as well, unless you are the coldest person on earth. Assuming this is not true, others' laughs could energize you and cheer you up, even if you do not know the people who are laughing. this is one thing you will want to catch from others.

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