Note to Self: Laugh today

Note to Self: Laugh Today

As if we didn't know already, research proves that laughter really is good for us. It seems ridiculous that we need a reminder to laugh. But we do!

It's probably fair to say that we have all experienced those days when we feel a little bit down. For me it might be too many grey skies over winter, not getting enough sleep for a few too many nights in a row or just that feeling of things not going my way. I do know is that one of the best ways for me to counter this is by having a good laugh. It might be with friends over drinks or dinner, giggling with my daughters over a silly thing that happened during the day or having a belly laugh as I watch my husband do one of his secret, spontaneous kitchen dances (not so secret anymore!) Connecting with others truly helps lighten the load and having a good laugh while you are at it only serves to lighten it a little more.

Of course you don't need to be with others to get your giggles on. Watching a funny movie, a silly YouTube video or reading a something entertaining can all get you started.

So we know laughing makes us feel good, but it also has some pretty profound effects on our health.

• Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humour during instruction led to increased test scores
• Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

• Boosts our immune functioning
• Helps us relax by reducing the stress hormones , adrenaline and cortisol and boosting endorphin, the 'feel good' hormone
• Improves heart health, by lowering blood pressure and HDL, the 'bad' cholesterol
• Relieves pain

• Laughter has been found to enhance employee moral, resilience and belief in 
  one's abilities in the workplace.
  

Your can read more about the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual benefits of laughter  in this article from Mayo Clinic here.

Here's a few ideas to get you chuckling

• Start laughing yourself, for any reason - laughter truly is infectious!
• Kick start your campaign with a laughter session for your workplace with our laughter workshop
  
• Play with children and watch them laugh without restraint. They are a great templates they do not have the forced reserve many adults carry with them.
• Keep some pictures with you that remind you of a really fun time, when you were laughing a lot. It may just bring a chuckle from your memory of it.
• Play with your pet. Animals are endlessly amusing and entertaining! 
• Watch a comedy movie, something that is really sweet and will make you laugh.
• Decide you want to laugh. So when the moment arises you are really ready to let go.

So go ahead, give laughter a try. With so many health benefits to laughter it makes sense to bring some chuckles, guffaws, cackles, giggles and fully belly laughs into your world.