Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. – Arnold Glasow

Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit. – Author unknown

Laughter is an instant vacation. - Milton Berle

Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks. – Henri Bergson

Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life. – Author unknown

A man isn’t poor if he can still laugh. - Raymond Hitchcock

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. – Victor Borge

With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die. – Abraham Lincoln

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. – Victor Hugo

He who laughs, lasts! - Mary Pettibone Poole

Laughter provides physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits you probably never realized! Laughter:

• Increases antibodies in saliva that combat upper respiratory infections
• Decreases serum cortisol, thus providing an antidote for the harmful effects of stress
• Effectively busts depression
• Secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers
• Conditions the abdominal muscles
• Relaxes muscles throughout the body
• Aids in reducing symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism
• Improves ventilation, thus helping reduce chronic respiratory conditions
• Reduces blood sugar levels
• Reduces blood pressure and heart rate
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps the body fight infections
• Releases endorphins which provide natural pain relief
• Helps more nutrients and oxygen to blood tissues
• Has positive benefits in mental functions
• Changes perspective
• Makes you feel good!
• Brings people together

Bring more humor and laughter into your life! Be healthy and happy!

Reference: Jasheway, L.A.. “Don’t get mad, get funny”. Whole Person Associates.

The common meeting point of various theories is that emotions cause a noticeable physical change in the body. These physical changes can be perceived as body sensations. For example, fear causes an increase in heartbeat and happiness induces an expansive feeling in the chest and a feeling of lightness. Your attitude towards life events and cognitive abilities largely determines your response and feeling. A positive mental attitude is a very good insurance against temperamental mood and can ensure good physical and emotional health.

A negative approach to life leads to depletion of energy. This reduces overall energy and makes you feel depressed and inactive. Positivity, on the other hand, energizes and motivates. You can help yourself to attain a positive mental attitude. This can ultimately affect your performance at work, give you overall happiness and give you a better temperament.

Idling unless you are resting with a purpose can lead to negative thoughts. There is an old saying that ‘an empty mind is a devil’s workshop’. Keep busy with physical and mental activities and rest only when you need to. While resting, try to connect with your spirituality. Inner peace comes easily with faith and ultimately leads to positive thoughts.

Writing down your thoughts is also a good idea. Make a list and then sift through it later. Try and rewrite all negative thoughts in a positive manner till it becomes a habit. Avoid using no, don’t, and cannot as much as you can. Be rewriting your negative thoughts, you will actually train your mind to think more positively.

Love transforms us all. The habit of showing love and expressing it has been lost in the rat race. Absence of love is one of the basic causes of depression, anxiety and anger. Love others unconditionally and allow yourself to be loved.

Nothing elevates mood better than laughter. Watch comedy shows regularly or simply act silly to make yourself laugh. Join a laughter club. It is good breathing and facial exercise too and helps to elevate spirits.

Lack of proper communication often leads to bad blood, even among friends. Make sure that you do not make statements frivolously without thinking of the impact it may have on the other person. Avoid caustic remarks.

Carrying emotional baggage is sure to make you retain negativity. Forget and forgive is the best way to move forward in life. The past has happened and gone forever. Focus on the present and the goodness that lies within you.

Help others and you will find that it gives rise to a lot of positive thoughts. Help a blind man cross the road and see the amount of happiness it gives you.

If you find your thoughts wandering try to change the environment and go for a walk or meet friend. Wandering thoughts are more likely to focus on the negative. Changing the environment lets you divert your attention to better and positive things.