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Do you laugh enough each day? Probably not. It’s estimated that the typical adult laughs only about a dozen times daily. That’s not much, really, when compared to a child, who laughs about 150 times or more every day, finding humor in just about everything, from morning to night. However, laughter is good medicine, especially for the heart. It makes you feel good, and sometimes people who are ill get better more quickly by using laughter as part of the healing process.

Researchers have discovered that the simple act of laughing stimulates the immune system, decreases stress-producing hormones, and raises the number and activity of disease-fighting killer cells in the body.

 There is overwhelming evidence that stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to heart disease and other ailments. Laughing surely protects your heart. Prolong mental stress is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. This can cause a series of inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries and ultimately to a heart attack. 

Doctors advise to incorporate laughter into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy choices, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Wise recommendation for a healthy heart would be exercise, eat right and laugh a few times a day.

 If you don’t think there’s enough laughter in your life, how can you re-learn how to laugh? Here are some ways to get started on the road to laughing more each day:

 Surround yourself with things that bring you joy and happiness:

At work, keep photos of good times in sight; memorable vacations, family reunions, your kids’ graduation pictures. Clip a few of your favourite cartoons from magazines or newspapers and tack them to the bulletin board. A glance of these can offer a momentary reprieve from your daily routines.

Eliminate or cut back on negative influences:

It’s important to be aware of world and local news, but you don’t have to expose yourself to a steady stream of horror, violence, and tragedy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Balancing a limited quotient of news with other things that are positive and joyful – such as your favourite music – may help laughter return to your life. If a neighbor or co-worker inevitably makes bad news the first topic of conversation, look elsewhere for companionship.

Look for humor or happiness around every day:

 If you’re stuck in traffic, pretend you’re in a TV sitcom. Use funny mental images, create characters for the people in the adjacent cars, and see how things play out on your ‘show’. This exercise reduces stress, replacing it with relaxation and cheer.

Learn to laugh at yourself:

The shortest distance between two people is a shared laugh – even if it’s at your own expense. Once you learn this, life gets easier. People will warm to you and identify with you, and you’ll all be doing yourselves some good.