Obviously, you are a person who enjoys humor or you wouldn’t be reading this blog. A little laughter goes a long way toward relaxing your mind and body. The effects of a good laugh last up to 45 minutes and can lower your blood pressure. I don’t know about you, but my blood pressure needs all the help it can get.

Can you believe people who have heart disease are 40 percent less likely to laugh at funny situations than those without heart problems? Maybe laughter really is the best medicine. Laughter should be thought of as heart-friendly, better than a low-fat and low-carb diet, or at least another method to improve your health.

Experts who study this sort of thing say stress is reduced within minutes when you laugh. Notice how a stressful situation is relieved when someone makes a joke. Everyone laughs and relaxes. Laughter helps give you a positive attitude and feelings of happiness. You feel better when you laugh a lot and others feel more comfortable. Wouldn’t you rather be around someone who is funny and has a positive attitude than someone who does nothing but complain and criticize?

Laughter reduces wrinkles and makes you look younger. That alone is enough reason for me to work in as many laughs a day as possible. Ever notice old people with frowns permanently frozen into wrinkled faces? When I get old, I want my wrinkles to be smile lines instead of frown lines.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started laughing:

* Look for funny videos on YouTube and post them on Facebook.
* Download a comedy movie to watch or watch one on TV.
* Look for books of cartoons on Amazon or at the library.
* Spend time with friends who make you laugh.
* Write your own funny captions for cartoons or family photos.
* Act goofy or make a face in the mirror.
* Put a funny screensaver on your computer.
* Play a silly joke on your kids or friends.
* Subscribe to joke lists and humor columns.
* Recall a funny situation or embarrassing moment and share it.

It may seem a bit silly to seek opportunities to laugh, but why not if laughter is good for you? You are improving your health and well being and having fun at the same time. Laughter relieves tension and helps pain. Laughter is a workout for your heart, diaphragm, and facial muscles. It improves your attitude. Laughing and learning to appreciate humor will improve your social relationships.

Some people have suggested taking time to deliberately try to laugh as an exercise. Take a deep breath and say “ha, ha, ha” as many times as possible. The forced laughter will soon become the real thing, especially if done in a group.

Accept that you don’t have to have a reason to laugh and just laugh. Learn to laugh at yourself and your own short-comings. Being a happy person is sometimes a matter of choice. Make a choice to have a positive attitude and to be a happy person. It can make you live longer and help you enjoy the life that have.