Sometimes a good laugh can help us feel so much better about things. You know the kind, the one that leaves your cheeks sore and tears rolling down your face. Often it is the silliest things, or sometimes even nothing at all that can set us off in fits of laughter.

It has been said that kids laugh 300-400 times a day but adults only laugh 10–15 times a day. Sometimes when life is hectic or not going so well many of us would find we don’t laugh anywhere near as much as that.

The serious science of laughter

There have been few scientific studies into the beneficial effects of laughter but it has been suggested having a good humour and regularly laughing reduces blood pressure and stress hormones. It may also improve the immune system and hearty laughter can provide an aerobic workout.

Often a good laugh can help lift us out of a bad or sad mood and sharing a laugh helps build friendships and maintain happy strong relationships.

Start today

One of the great things about laughter is that we can fake it. This is particularly important when laughing is the last thing we feel like doing. Given time we will start to feel better and realise that we are no longer faking it and actually feel happier and will laugh naturally.

You don’t have to hear a joke to laugh and often it is funny life events that make us laugh the most. Many of these involve silly or embarrassing things we have done ourselves. One of the most important things is to be able to laugh at ourselves.

Think of something that made you laugh really hard. Chances are it will set you off in a fit of giggles.

There are laughter clubs throughout the world. You can find one near you by visiting laughteryoga.org.nz

Hang out with people that laugh, it is catching.

Smile. It leads on to bigger things.

Gravitate towards things that you find funny. Some may prefer slapstick pie in the face humour and others prefer dry wit.

Article written by SNS nutritionist Tracy Cleary BSc (Human Nutrition, Sports Science)