At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.

- Jean Houston

Humor is that which most efficiently recognizes that we are living in an imperfect world, with imperfect arguments and things that are insane, illogical, and irrational. And the only way we can live with that fact is to laugh.

- Jean-Louis Barsoux

To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.

- William A. Ward

These quotes, and many more on this theme, can be found at BellaOnline.

Clearly, this is a time of challenge and change for many people in our country and across the world. Problems generated by wars, economic recession, housing crises, fuel shortages, health challenges, environmental issues, and a changing of the political guard are only some of the challenges that are impacting our lives.

What is the best way to handle the stresses brought on by our life challenges? My answer: laughter, a good sense of humor, and an ability to play and have fun.

As Jean-Louis Barsoux points out in one of our theme quotes, "Humor is that which most efficiently recognizes that we are living in an imperfect world, with imperfect arguments and things that are insane, illogical, and irrational. And the only way we can live with that fact is to laugh."

In the following articles and blurbs, we will explore some ways in which humor and laughter can promote health and well-being, and we will share some resources that could promote fun, humor, and laughter in our lives. Enjoy!

What are some of your tips and resources on this subject? Please share. Your ideas may be incorporated into another newsletter or blog article on this topic. Simply REPLY to this email with your stories, tips, and suggestions.

There is overwhelming evidence describing how humor, laughter, and fun can improve our health, and, in some cases, bring about "miraculous" healing. How does laughter impact our health and well-being? Let us count the ways:

• Laughter lowers blood pressure.
• Laughter strengthens our immune system by decreasing the level of stress hormones and increasing the level of infection-fighting antibodies in our bodies.
• Laughter protects the heart.
• Laughter gives our bodies a good workout.
• Laughter promotes brain health. It stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning, memory, and other brain functions.
• Laughter improves mental and emotion health. It is an antidote for depression.
• Laughter enhances our ability to connect with others.
• Laughter acts as a natural pain-killer, often eliminating the need for pain medications.
• Laughter is cathartic. It helps to release negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear.
• Laughter helps with weight loss and weight control.

If you would like to read more about the connection between laughter and health, here are a few resources to explore:

• Cousins, Norman. Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient. W.W. Norton, 2005.
• Diggs, Tammie S. "Laughter: Is It Healthy?"
• Kemp, Gina and Jeanne Segal. "Humor, Laughter, and Health". HelpGuide.org.
• Murray, Michelle. "Laughter is the Best Medicine for Your Heart". University of Maryland Medical Center.
• "Laugh Yourself Healthy". AVMA News, June 15, 2005.

What is the best book or article you have read on this subject?

What is Laughter Therapy?

For a delightful inquiry into this therapuetic approach, visit the Web site of Enda Junkins, LCSW, LMFT, BCD - Owner of Laughter Therapy Enterprises and author of Belly Laughter in Relationships. Here is how Junkins introduces her site (in addition to the sound of laughter):

We need to laugh more and seek stress reducing humor in our everyday lives. Laughter is the human gift for coping and for survival. Laughter ringing, laughter pealing, laughter roaring, laughter bubbling. Chuckling. Giggling. Snickering. Snorting. These are the sounds of soul saving laughter which springs from our emotional core and helps us feel better, see things more clearly, and creatively weigh and use our options. Laughter helps us roll with the punches that inevitably come our way. The power of laughter is unleashed every time we laugh. In today's stressful world, we need to laugh much more.

What is Laughter Yoga?

Here is an explanation, quoted from the Web site of the Dr. Kataria School of Laughter Yoga:

Laughter Yoga is a unique concept developed by Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. It is fast sweeping the world and is truly a life changing experience. It combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing which brings more oxygen to the body and brain making one feel more energetic and healthy. The concept is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits. Safe, easy and scientifically proven, Laughter Yoga is a lot of fun. Started with just five people in 1995, today it is a global phenomenon with over 6000 clubs in 60 countries.

What do you do for fun? Some of my favorite activities include dancing, singing, going to live musical comedies, watching Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central, reading comic strips and The New Yorker cartoons.

And here's my favorite game for generating side- splitting, all-body laughter: Chuckle Belly.

You need a group and a sizeable space to play this game. The best time I ever had with this game was on a beach in Maine in the summertime with a group of 20-30 people. In this game, everyone lies face up on the ground with their head on someone else's belly. Everyone needs to be connected - no loose ends. Then someone starts things rolling - maybe with a joke or a funny story or just a laugh or a snort. In a short time, everyone is in stitches!

And what could be more fun than a Game Night - with family or with friends. For all sorts of ideas for fun with games and other activities, visit Judie VanKooiman's Web site, SimplyFun:Play for All Ages.

There are many wonderful books available on the subject of fun, laughter, and humor. Here are some you may not have heard of that might make great beach reads.

• Belly Laughter in Relationships: Something Else Positive Below the Belt, Enda Junkins. Dustin Royale Publishers, 2002.
• The Healing Power of Humor, Allen Klein. Tarcher, 1989.
• Laugh It Off: Weight Loss for the Fun of It, Katie Namrevo. Ablaze Publishing, 2004.
• Fun is Good: How to Create Joy & Passion in Your Workplace and Career, Mike Veeck and Pete Williams. Rodale Books, 2005.
• A Flock of Fools: Ancient Buddhist Tales of Wisdom and Laughter from the One Hundread Parable Sutra, Peter Levitt (Adapter) and Kazuaki Tanahashi (Translator). Grove Press, 2004.
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House: Humor, Blunders, and Other Oddities From the Presidential Campaign Trail, Charles Osgood. Hyperion, 2008.

Exercise those laugh muscles! Enjoy a few moments with Olympic gymnast Paulette Huntinova (aka Paul Hunt) at the 1988 Olympics.

Good Jokes: It's sometimes challenging to find good jokes when you need them. Check out these Web sites:

• The Good, Clean Funnies List
• AhaJokes.com

Poem: Your Laughter by Pablo Neruda.

Visit PoemHunter.com for this poetic gem.

Video: Another YouTube video guaranteed to tickle your funnybone is "Laughing Baby". [There are several videos in this genre. This one is my favorite.]

More Quotes: Visit QuoteLady.com.

Excerpt from Blog posted August 10, 2008:

Are you someone who is happy with what you have? Or are you someone who is easily bored with what you have and is always wanting more?

I am a movie buff, and often I find valuable life lessons embedded in the movies. Take, for example, the 1994 film Love Affair - a remake of the classic film, An Affair to Remember. There is a line in this movie that blew me away at the time, and I have remembered it all these years.

LifeWork Letter is a complimentary monthly e-Newsletter from Connie Komack and LifeWork Enterprises, with tips, quotes, and short articles designed to enrich, empower, and forward the growth of your life, career, or business.

Feel free to share this newsletter with others. It is easy to do by clicking on the forward email link at the bottom of this newsletter.

As always, I invite you to visit my blog site and to read the articles on transition, change, and re- designing your life that are posted there.

Thank you for reading my newsletter and/or blog articles. Your readership is most appreciated and valued. I hear from many of you each month, and I always enjoy and benefit from your feedback. So please keep it coming.