Some of you might be thinking, “How can I even think about laughing right now when all these things are happening around me?-the  economy is bad and people are getting laid off right and left.  That is why we need to now more than ever make sure we have laughter in our lives.  Laughter has so many positive effects on us both physically and mentally. 

 

Anybody can use laughter as therapy.  There are no limitations in how often it is done and there is no cost involved.  It doesn’t even have to be a real laugh.  The body doesn’t know the difference.  If you pretend to start laughing, then you start really laughing.  Here are a few of the benefits of laughing:

· Laughter takes the focus off your problems.

· A sense of humor helps us gain a fuller and more realistic perspective of the world.

· Laughing evokes feelings of happiness and joy instead of being gloomy and   frustrated.

· It’s easier to think creatively around a problem when our mind is lighter from laughter.

Learning Opportunities Quality Works, Inc.

April 2009

· Shared laughter promotes bonding and unity within the group.

· Laughter also opens the door to more real and risky communication.

Here are some of the physiological effects laughter can have on our body:

· Laughter appears to reduce certain stress hormones.

· Laughter boosts the immune system and lowers blood pressure.

· Laughter may lead to hiccupping and coughing, which will clear the respiratory tract by dislodging mucus plugs.

· Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory and facial, leg and back muscles a workout.

· Some also believe that laughter may help prevent some life-threatening diseases.

 

So go ahead and share some humor today.  Give yourself permission to REALLY LAUGH!!

 

 

Information taken from an article by Jody Urquhart.

 

 

Have You Had Your Laugh Today?

Jesus came to earth,
To show us how to live,
How to put others first,
How to love and how to give.

 

Then He set about His work,
That God sent Him to do;
He took our punishment on Himself;
He made us clean and new.

 

He could have saved Himself,
Calling angels from above,
But He chose to pay our price for sin;
He paid it out of love.

Our Lord died on Good Friday,
But the cross did not destroy

His resurrection on Easter morn
That fills our hearts with joy.

 

Now we know our earthly death,
Like His, is just a rest.
We'll be forever with Him
In heaven, where life is best.

 

So we live our lives for Jesus,
Think of Him in all we do.
Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.
Help us love like you!

Easter Joy by Joanna Fuchs