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alone.

In 1962 there was an outbreak of laughter in Tanganyika. A group of schoolgirls aged 12-18, broke out into a fit of laughter (and sometimes crying), and it seemed to spread from one person to the next, until the whole community was affected. It became so widespread that the schools were forced to close, and it lasted for 6 months!

Ever notice those "laugh tracks" that play in the background of some of your favorite comedy shows? The producers are well aware of the contagious nature of laughter.

Research has shown that preschoolers laugh up to 400 times a day, while adults only laugh an average of 17 times per day. (What a shame.) We need to start looking for ways to increase our laughter. It will keep us young at heart. Watch a funny TV program or movie, read a humorous book, or socialize with friends and laugh joyfully together.

G.K. Chesterton wrote, "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly." What great advice for all of us. We need to lighten up, and not take everything so seriously. Socrates wrote, "The comic and the tragic lie inseparably close, like light and shadow." Tamara Jenkins, writer and director of the Academy Award nominated movie, The Savages, commented in a recent interview that "Tragedy and comedy often operate in stereo."

Studies have shown that even fake smiling (for no real reason) produces positive effects, as does fake laughter. Isn't that interesting? (It could just be that taking a leap of faith into laughter, actually produces true laughter before it's over.)

Pessimists are more likely to get sick when stressed, and they take longer to recover after surgical procedures.

Couples who laugh together often stay together, and enjoy more intimacy. Laughter actually plays a role in mating, and men are attracted to women who laugh freely. Females laugh more than men, and men are often the source of their laughter, according to Psychology Today. In fact, it is the laughter of the female that is a primary determination in whether a relationship is healthy. It might just be that the secret to a great romantic relationship is laughter. It helps us draw closer during the good times, and can restore closeness after the bad times. Many marriage counselors and family therapists are incorporating laughter therapy into their practices.

One of my favorite gifts, was from my daughter when she was younger. It was a key-chain that had a sign that read, "The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed." Even though our relationship has been stormy at times, I am glad that it is predominantly defined in her heart, by laughter.

Laughter makes all things better, and isn't that reason enough to start laughing daily?

Sources: http://stress.about.com/od/str esshealth/a/laughter.htm
http:/ /stress.about.com/gi/dynamic/o ffsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=stress& cdn=health&tm=949&gps=415_847_ 1020_613&f=21&su=p726.2.152.ip _p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts= 0&zu=http%3A//www.americanscie ntist.org/template/AssetDetail /assetid/24591%3Ffulltext%3Dtr ue
http://www.umm.edu/features/ laughter.htm
http://www.rd.com/ health/mind-and-body/relieving -stress/health-benefits-of-lau ghter-optimism/article.html
htt p://www.holisticonline.com/Hum or_Therapy/humor_therapy_how_w orks.htm
http://psychologytoday .com/articles/pto-20030429-000 001.html
http://www.laughterthe rapy.com/
http://www.personal-d evelopment.com/chuck/laughter. htm

Learn more about this author, Lonnette Harrell.
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