The Fun And Benefits Of Laughter

Time magazine has a good article, The Funny Thing About Laughter.

There is some discussion about whether laughter is good for us because it is primarily a social activity and implies the presence of others; or whether laughter is good for us because of its beneficial effects on hormone levels and our cardiovascular system. As always, it is probably a combination of both.

Laughter has many benefits for our well-being. And, above all, it is fun, it can make us happy and can be cost-free. I believe that it can help us build resilience and develop a Happystance.

I do sometimes come across people who are hostile to the notion of laughter and developing a Happystance. I respect that some people are angry at the notion of laughter which seems mocking in the context of what else is happening in their lives. And yet, I do know that some of the liveliest groups that I run are the ones with homeless people who are beset with a multitude of problems. There have been laughter projects with homeless people that have offered a way back into society. There have been research projects looking at the link between laughter and improved immune system functioning and greater self-confidence. As Oscar Wilde never put it, "We are all of us in the gutter. But some of us are chortling at the stars".

Copyright 2006, Tony Plant Happystance Project