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It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in  ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body.  Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain,  and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works  faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance  than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects  you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps  you release anger and forgive sooner.

With so much power to heal  and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous  resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and  supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this  priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

As children, we  used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be  more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more  opportunities for humor and laughter, you can improve your emotional  health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness—and even  add years to your life.

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. 

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter  decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and  infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to  disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall  sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter  improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which  can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular  problems.

Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s  no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing  for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which  could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load.  Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking  at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to  move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or  resentment.

Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor  outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly  notable for those battling cancer.