“Laughter is an instant vacation” – Milton Berle

For many years I was a very serious, negative person. I focused on the things that I perceived as going “wrong” in my life. I frequently felt overwhelmed and sad about all the bad things happening in the world. I was drawn to people who were this way as well. But I started to see a counselor and finally found some self-awareness. A lot of what was happening was my choice. Things slowly started shifting in a positive direction and I began taking responsibility for my own thoughts and feelings. I became more light-hearted, joyful and actually laughed more often.

We are now learning that laughter is not just fun, but is an important part of a productive life. Many studies have shown the wide-ranging benefits of laughter, including protecting against heart disease, improved memory, burning of calories, and a strengthened immune system. More importantly, laughter triggers the release of endorphins and lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Stress affects us in so many negative ways, thus we need to be vigilant in recognizing and overcoming it. Refining your sense of humor takes practice. Make it a habit to spend five minutes a day thinking of a funny scene in one of your favorite movies. Find some good joke books or go to a comedy club. Seek out friends that are funny and focused on positivity. Actively find ways to bring more joy into your daily life and watch everything transform.