Laughter is the Best Medicine

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let's take a moment to talk about how beneficial laughter can be for you! And who doesn't love to laugh?

Mental Benefits:

• Laughing releases dopamine - which boosts your mood!
• Even a fake laugh or smile can improve your mood - your body has a hard time telling the difference.
• Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.
• Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. 

Physical Benefits:

• Ten to 15 minutes of daily laughing burns 10 to 40 calories.
• Research has linked laughter with boosts in immune function, pain tolerance, cardiovascular health and maybe even memory retention.
• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

How often do we really laugh:

• An adult laughs an estimates 15 to 20 times a day
• A typical 10-minute conversation has an average of 5.8 bouts of laughter

So, let's get a good laugh in! Here are some of my past posts that are filled with jokes, memes, and silly videos that will be sure have you giggling!

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Link: Kids and Homework

Check out this pots see some of the funniest assignments kids have turned into their teachers.

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Link: Earth Day Jokes

Here are a few Mother Earth inspired jokes!

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Link: Cats Being Silly

These cat videos are hilarious!

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Link: Sea Urchins Wearing Hats

These sea urchins in little hats will be sure to put a smile on your face.