Throughout my life I had always heard the term, "Laughter Is The BEST Medicine". I never really understood that until doing research for this website. I was truly amazed and overwhelmed by all the research that is out there to support this saying. There are many great and wonderful health benefits to laughter.

To name a few of the MANY different articles I read on how laughter is beneficial in a variety of ways, Norman Cousins, writes in his book, "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient" how he used laughter and its benefits to help in aid in his recovery of a devastating illness.

In the 1998 movie, Patch Adams, tells of how a medical professional can use the healing aspects of laughter to help his patients. I even read how laughter, a real good belly laugh that is, can help with weight loss, because of all the different chemicals that are released when one laughs, now that information sure got my interest…SMILE.

Laughter is so important in today's society, a time where so many of us are so overwhelmed with the tasks of daily life that laughter seems to be coming obsolete. I, myself notice that more and more people have lost sight of the gift of laughter, and all the great things laughter can do for one. It is sad, that there are so many people that cannot even crack a smile, let alone think about laughing.

I have been told that my ability to laugh and make others laugh is a God-given gift. Since laughter has the ability to lighten up our hearts, minds, and souls and of others, I really do believe that it is a gift from Heaven above.

Let's try something right now as you are reading this, just try smiling, come on, you can do it…SMILE. Did you feel it? Do it again…SMILE. Did you sense a bit of lightness in your heart, in your chest, in your mind, in your body? Did you feel a sense of relief anywhere? Most people do, and if a smile can do that, just imagine how laughing will help you to feel better.

Laughter can be quite contagious. Have you ever noticed when you are around someone that is laughing, that your spirit begins to take on a cheerfulness, that you begin to smile, giggle, or even laugh along with that person laughing out loud. You do not even need to know why that other person is laughing, the effects of their laughter just seem to start to positively affect those around.

I know this by personal experience, as this very thing happened to me in a restaurant. I was with two very good friends, and really enjoying myself so much that I was laughing quite a bit, at times even out loud, yes that's right, even belly laughing in a restaurant. Not only were my friends and I thoroughly enjoying our time together, but also other customers were telling their waiters, "I want what she is having" and even pleading with me, saying, "Please, tell us the joke." Then on the way out of the restaurant another table of customers stopped me to "Thank Me" for making their time so wonderful. All of those compliments coming from the ability to laugh, and laugh out loud.

Laughter is a great and wonderful natural source to help relieve stress and help to brighten your days, so don't forget to use it. I am sure you will be amazed how much better life can be with a daily dose of laughter.

LAUGH YOUR WAY TO A BETTER DAY!!!