Written by: Amanda Levison, M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." - Victor Borge
Laughter is contagious. It is one of the few universal languages. We laugh when we are happy, when we love, when we find humor, and to embrace others in our world.
My grandparents were married for over 64 years and I decided to ask my grandma what she felt was the secret to a succesful marriage. She simply stated LAUGHTER, not to take yourself too seriously. It was such a genuine response and so perfect.
Laughter also provides many health benefits such as, it has been shown to lead to reductions in stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. When laughing the brain releases endorphins that can relieve some physical pain. Laughter also boosts the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system. This explains why people say, "Laughter is the best medicine."
When is the last time you genuinely laughed?
* Photo courtesy of Brooke Logue Photography.
