You get checked up and down… Poked and prodded but, when was the last time that a health care professional asked how your funny bone was doing?

Managing health and life challenges is not fun nor is it funny. It can be painful, exhausting and sometimes down right depressing. Some of the lightness in life can be overshadowed by more serious emotions. But getting serious about laughter may allow us to ease some of the more negative things going on in life.

Laughter clubs that practice Laughter Yoga are popping up all over North America and Europe. Founded in Mumbia, India by Dr. Madan Kataria in 1995, this relatively new movement is now several thousand clubs strong. The belief is that laughter can stimulate the immune system, increases the oxygen in the blood, increased release in endorphins (our body’s natural painkiller), promote a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation. Sounds good to me!

www.laughteryoga.org is one of the main hubs for Laughter Yoga created by the founder of the movement.

If the idea of laughing in unison with strangers doesn’t appeal to you then, how bout trying a comedy club, a funny movie like Montey Python, Space Balls or Ace Ventura? Go online to find some hilarity … try sites like www.jokething.com (Parental Guidance Suggested)