The Benefits of Laughter
Families that laugh together tend to be happier, healthier and more supportive of one another. As busy as life can be, it’s important to build fun into family time. Whether it’s singing silly songs in the car or telling jokes around the dinner table, remember to take a moment to laugh with your kids.
Kids appreciate the healing power of laughter at an early age. When your child cheers up a friend or makes a loved one laugh, they are displaying empathy and sympathy. Humor helps your child cope with stressful experiences and encourages them to be resilient by laughing at their mistakes. Making humor an everyday part of life makes for memorable moments with your children. Laughter adds years to your child’s life, strengthens relationships and increases overall happiness, even in stressful times.
The saying is true, “laughter is the best medicine!” Laughter is a good distraction from negative emotions such as guilt, stress and anger. A sense of humor helps kids see things from a different perspective and boosts their overall mood. When your child hears laughing, they tend to start laughing too and everyone reaps the benefits! How does laughing affect the body? We will fill you in! 
RELEASE ENDORPHINS
Laughing not only feels good but is good for you! When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. The release of endorphins helps with chronic pain and can improve your mood.
REDUCE STRESS
Life can get overwhelming and stressful when balancing work, school, and family time. Laughter is a great coping mechanism when you’re feeling stressed. Letting out a belly laugh can start the day on a positive note and finish it on a relaxing one.
BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM
Whether you let out a giggle or have tears running down your face from laughing so hard, laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies which improves resistance to disease. The more you laugh, the more your body will fight off stress reactions.
INCREASE BLOOD FLOW
Every time you laugh, you release more air as you breathe deeply. This action sends more oxygen into your lungs and helps your heart pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. An increase of oxygen encourages healthy cell growth and lets organs work more efficiently to help you feel your best.
RELAX MUSCLES
If you’re feeling tense after a long day, a few minutes of laughter can reduce tension in the body and make you feel calmer almost instantly.
Setting aside time to laugh with your family is a healthy practice that benefits your body and mind. Before you know it, laughter will come more naturally, and you may find humor in situations or places you wouldn’t suspect!
