Infectious laughter

They say that laughter is the medicine for the soul. When you engage in laughter, you benefit in a number of ways. Laughter reduces stress levels by releasing endorphins and adrenalin. Endorphins are the body's natural pain killer. Laughter also boosts your memory and creativity. It frees the mind to retain thoughts from the past and generate new ideas. We know that learning is enhanced when it is accompanied by positive feelings that are produced when we laugh. Did you know that laughter is good for the heart? Every time you laugh your blood vessels expand increasing circulation. Your blood pressure is often lowered when you laugh. That being said, why not spread its effects to others? Think of the times when those around you were filled with laughter. What were you doing? It most often occurs when we surrender our judgments of acting strictly as "grown ups" and allow that childlike part of us to emerge. It may be in sharing a joke, playing a game, or watching a comedy on the screen. Watching a sitcom permits entry into viewing our weaknesses in a healthy way. We observe our vulnerabilities in others and laugh at the actors as they mirror our frailties. When we are with others as we do this, we realize that we are not alone in accepting who we are. The laughter reverberates in the room creating positive energy. So why aren't we doing more of what is good for us? Suspend your judgment about how you would appear while laughing uncontrollably and allow it to sweep over you to provide its many benefits. When was the last time you engaged in infectious laughter?