Families that laugh together stay together!!

For any family one of the best times is when all its members are laughing and enjoying together. Laughter brings love, affection, understanding and positivity in the family. When family members laugh together, they feel safe and as a result they become less defensive, they become more open, more accepting, and more connected. There is a feeling of expansion of self and feeling of being at peace.

Let us perform a small practical today. Get together as a family. Now tell something funny turn by turn or narrate a joke or an anecdote that may create laughter. Now as you finish enjoying this humour, just observe three things: your own self, family members around you, and the whole ambience around. You will be surprised that everyone seems relaxed and the environment around gives a feeling of lightness and openness. It is no less than magic.

It is, because of this, laughter is regarded as the ‘best medicine.’ There are several benefits s of this free ‘medicine.’ In fact, there is now a well-established psychotherapy that goes by the name of laughter therapy. In yoga the importance of laughter has been recognized since long.

Let us now count some of the benefits of laughter (that includes smiling also) that have been documented after keen observations.

• Laughter is good for general health. It relaxes the body and relieves stress. It boosts the immune system by decreasing stress hormones. It triggers the release of feel-good chemicals (endorphins). Laughter protects your heart since it is a sort of mild work-out.

• Laughter helps you to stay emotionally healthy. Even in difficult situations, it keeps you positive and optimistic. Humor takes you away from over-whelming situations and helps to have a new perspective.

• Humour and laughter have significant social benefits. By triggering positive feelings, the laughter helps to foster emotional connections. When we laugh together, new bond is established. Such emotional bonds are useful in resolving small conflicts and misunderstandings.

So, find time to laugh at least once in a day!