Stress is a constant companion for me and I would safely bet for everyone else.  Every once in a while I just need to have a good cry or several.  It does help release stress and I feel better for a little while.  However, I have found that a good laugh can do so much more. 

I recently read about a study that showed laughter can actually help reduce heart disease and high blood pressure.  Laughing releases endorphins and can actually stimulate the immune system.  Laughing for 10-15 minutes a day can reduce the effects of depression and it can burn enough calories to combat that chocolate bar some of us just NEED to have.  Scientists are still trying to figure out what part of the brain stimulates laughter and why it is humans can do it so easily and so well.

I believe laughter comes from the soul.  It emanates from our very core and defines in part who we are.  Laughter is infectious.  I cannot hear a child belly laugh and not giggle. Children laugh so easily and often.  As we become adults that ability seems to become more difficult. 

My children are a great source of humor and having a good sense of humor is essential when raising children, if we want to keep our sanity.  My son Jonathan has figured out that when mom gets mad, make her laugh.  Laughing makes it impossible to stay angry, it just grabs those negative feelings and tosses them out.  Laughing heals the heart and soul.

When stress gets the better of me I seem to find everything funnier, my body is demanding release and needs it.  We've all heard the old cliche "Laughter is the best medicine".  Well there is a reason why old cliches are old cliches...because they are true.

I pray I will never lose the ability to laugh at life or at myself. There's no guarantee that laughter will help me live longer, but it will sure make the journey more fun.