Why Do We Laugh? Philosopher John Morreall believes that the first human laughter may have begun as a gesture of shared relief at the passing of danger. Many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections. "Laughter occurs when people are comfortable with one another, when they feel open and free. And the more laughter [there is], the more bonding [occurs] within the group," says cultural anthropologist Mahadev Apte. In an embarrassing or threatening situation, laughter may serve as a conciliatory gesture or as a way to deflect anger. If the threatening person joins the laughter, the risk of confrontation may lessen.
Your ability to laugh at yourself and attempting to laugh at situations (or at least to see it from a different perspective) will help reduce your stress level and make life more enjoyable. Mental health professionals are suggesting "laughter therapy," which teaches people how to laugh -- openly -- at things that aren't usually funny and to cope in difficult situations by using humor.
As you know - laughter is contagious and it will help improve your disposition and the disposition of those around you. People naturally respond to the smiles and good cheer of those around them.Beside that humor and laughter have other benefits too: "Laughter is the best medicine." There is strong evidence that laughter can actually improve health and help fight disease. Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. In doing this, laughter provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones. What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body workout! Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing. Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter -- you've just had an aerobic workout!
Tips for adding more humor & laughter in your life
- Remind yourself to have fun. 
- Spend time with those who help you see the bright side.
- Get regular doses of humor from various sources such as television sitcoms, movies, plays, or books.
- Develop your own sense of humor. Be funny every chance you get -- as long as it's not at someone else's expense!
Enjoy life!!!
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