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I didn't feel well today, so I went to bed around 4 p.m. and slept until about 10 p.m. I woke up quite hungry, and went to the kitchen to fix some toast and soup. As I prepared the food, I turned on the TV, and began watching a rerun of Home Improvement with Tim Allen. I laughed until I couldn't laugh anymore. I laughed on the inside and right out loud. And the more I laughed, the better I felt. Laughter is truly good medicine.

It turns out that there is scientific research to support what I already knew in my heart. According to studies, laughter reduces the level of stress hormones, and increases the good hormones like endorphins (natural painkillers) and neurotransmitters. Laughter strengthens the immune system, which results in less illness and physical effects of stress. When we laugh, we breathe easier, and a positive outlook can even increase longevity.

Laughter provides an internal workout-like Santa we "shake when (we) laugh like a bowl full of jelly." This "belly laugh" exercises the diaphragm, the abdominals, shoulder muscles, and even stimulates the heart. Laughter is aerobic! It has been compared to internal jogging. William Fry, a pioneer in research about laughter, found that it took 10 minutes on a rowing machine, for his heart rate to reach the level it would after just one minute of enthusiastic laughing.

Our muscles are more relaxed after we laugh, and we just feel better in general. Laughter makes us temporarily forget about our pain, both physical and emotional.

Recent studies by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, indicate that laughter may prevent heart disease. Laughter even lowers blood pressure.

One of the most interesting findings was that people who had heart disease generally laughed less at situations in their lives, (even positive events), and they were also more outwardly angry and hostile. Laughter can lessen anger and anxiety.

When we have the ability to laugh at life, and our circumstances, we are much less likely to give in to depression and a feeling of helplessness. An M.D., Bernie Siegel, offers this advice, "The simple truth is that happy people generally don't get sick."

Laughter is a great way to break the ice, and connect with others. Haven't you noticed how laughter is contagious? (Sometimes I can just hear someone else laughing, and I'll start laughing also.) Statistics tell us that people are about 30 times more likely to start laughing in the presence of others, than when they are

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