Did you know that children laugh an average of approximately 300 times a day, while adults only laugh approximately 17 times a day?  It's no wonder so many adults feel stressed and burned out. Humor should be a part of everyone's healthy self care program, simply for the benefits it provides.

  

There are some great things about laughter. 

• Laughter is contagious.
• Laughing burns calories.  It's often called internal jogging. 
• Laughter is cross-cultural.  You don't even have to speak the same language to enjoy a laugh together. 

The are many positive benefits of humor for the mind.

• Regulates cortisol and epinephrine, which are stress hormones.
• It boosts your immune system
• Increases endorphins, which reduce pain and provide feelings of pleasure.
• Effects dopamine levels that regulate mood, motivation, and learning.

So for your own benefit, laugh a little more!

Today's episode is a re-release of a favorite episode of our listeners. We hope you enjoyed it as much the second time as you did the first time. There will be some brand new episodes coming in January, 2019, so stay tuned! Until then, don't forget to visit our website for the weekly articles on self care, advance care planning, caregiving, and hospice.