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Humor is Healthy
Laughing is both a physical and mental stress reliever. A good laugh can soothe tension, aid in relaxation, and release feel-good hormones to your brain. Laughter has also been shown to strengthen a person’s immune system and help relieve pain by encouraging the body to release its own natural painkillers. Best of all, out of everything you can do for stress management, laughter takes the least amount of effort and planning. Don’t let a day go by without a moment of laughter!
Smile!
Smile at those around you. Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and like laughter, it’s contagious. Plus, a smile releases hormones in your brain to lower stress.
Ask
Make humor part of the conversation. Ask friends, family members, and co-workers, “What is the funniest thing that happened to you today?”
Laugh at Yourself
Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk about the times when you took yourself too seriously.
‘Kid’ Around
Notice how children play and try to emulate them. They are the experts on being silly, taking life lightly, and laughing at ordinary things.