By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Who doesn’t enjoy a good belly laugh? We’re told it’s great medicine and usually done best with others. That’s a party! When I learned March 19 is Let’s Laugh Day, I was on board for the celebration.

But before I planned my day of chuckles and giggles, I had a few questions:

Is laughter beneficial?

Why should we be laughing more?

What do the professionals say?

Let’s Laugh Day – March 19

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My first stop was the MayoClinic.

This site listed short term and long term benefits of laughter. The biggest benefit is to relieve stress! A daily dose also helps your immune system do a better job. Makes sense. How can we complain about life, aches, and pains while we’re laughing?

I practiced seeing if my mood improved, and it did!

My next stop was WebMD.

This site has an informative (and fun) article you may want to read. I valued what Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist said, “I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off.”

For all of us exercise addicts, this caught my attention, ”10-15 minutes of laughter burns 50 calories.” I plan to incorporate more humor into my daily workout.

Other reputable sites claim laughter improves memory, blood flow, creativity, and can be an aid to controlling high blood pressure.

So where do we find those things to make us chuckle and giggle?

Spend time with family and friends who can help you enjoy humor. My sister has always made me explode in laughter.
Laugh at yourself. Getting through the speed bumps of life is easier with a smile.
Select entertainment that tickles your funny bone—books, movies, articles, and spending time with kids and grandkids.

I read the debate that people who laugh more are healthier, or are healthier people more optimistic? Do people who laugh have more friends, or do those people attract others? I have no clue. But I do know that when I laugh, I feel really good.