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Rest & Rejuvenate

Giggling Really Is Good for You

By Julie Bean

Everyone loves a good laugh, and research shows that a few chuckles may do a lot more than bring a smile to your face. Laughter has the ability to boost your mood and increase immunity -- and that’s nothing to joke about.

The simple act of laughing causes your body to release good-for-you endorphins that instantly increase the flow of oxygen to your heart and brain and boost your mood. Laughter also has the ability to instantly combat stress by triggering your body to release dopamine, a feel-good hormone in the brain.

“Laughter lowers stress hormones and optimizes the immune system in the same way that exercise does for the body,” says Dr. Lee Berk, a preventive care specialist and the director of the Molecular Research Laboratory at Loma Linda University in California. “Laughter alone is not going to make you healthy; you need to look at the big picture,” says Berk. “That said, a few minutes of laughter at least two to four times a day is probably a good idea.”

If you can’t remember the last time you giggled, it may be time to take a break from the real world and try a bit of humor therapy. To get you started, check out these chuckle-worthy videos on YouTube:

“Annoying (but very funny) mom sayings”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0ZpuA8_YYk

“Why Babies Have Mothers”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT5LaPyIM9c

“Baby Dancing to Beyonce”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikTxfIDYx6Q

“Kids & the Marshmallow Test”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWW1vpz1ybo

“Skateboarding Bulldog”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQzUsTFqtW0&feature=related

“Listening Pigs”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3R1cQoH6LI&feature=channel

“Knock Knock Kitteh”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVSXNCioDpA&feature=aso

“Grocery Store Musical”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnY59mDJ1gg&feature=aso

“Funny Kids Dancing”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvOP32eM0k

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