Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that’s no joke.  A good sense of humor can’t cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do.  A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:

• Stimulate many organs.Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response.A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure.
• Soothe tension.Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Laughter isn’t just a quick pick-me-up, though. It’s also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:

• Improve your immune system.Positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain.Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction.Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Improve your mood. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.

Are you afraid that you have an underdeveloped — or nonexistent — sense of humor? No problem. Humor can be learned. In fact, developing or refining your sense of humor may be easier than you think.

• Put humor on your horizon.Keep funny movies, TV shows, books,  or comedy videos on hand for when you need an added humor boost.
• Laugh and the world laughs with you.Find a way to laugh about your own situations and watch your stress begin to fade away. It does your body good.
• Share a laugh.Make it a habit to spend time with friends who make you laugh. And then return the favor by sharing funny stories or jokes with those around you.
• Knock, knock.Browse through your local bookstore or library’s selection of joke books and add a few jokes to your list that you can share with friends.

Go ahead and give it a try. Once you’ve had your chuckle, take stock of how you’re feeling. Are your muscles a little less tense? Do you feel more relaxed or buoyant? That’s the natural wonder of laughing at work.