Most of us have heard that laughter is good medicine, which comes from Proverbs 17:22 (KJV), which says:

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

In the New Century Version (NCV), the word merry is translated happy.  Some translations use cheerful.  So, this tells us that laughter brings healing.  It is good for our whole man, spirit, soul, and body. 

The joy of the Lord strengthens our spirit man.  As we laugh, it brings healing to the soul; the mind, will and emotions.  We think better, we make better choices and we feel better emotionally.  And laughter will bring physical healing to our bodies.  The more joyful we are, the healthier we are- better able to fight off sickness, disease, stress, sadness, and depression.

When we feel better, we can relate to other people better, which enhances relationships.  Plus, laughter is a big ice breaker.  We've all been in a room with people and may have felt isolated and alone.  Yet, when we laugh with others, it opens everyone up, creating a more joyful and relaxed situation where it's easier to relate and share.

Laughter relieves stress and releases endorphins in our brains and to our bodies.  These are feel-good chemicals designed to release feelings of well-being and relieve pain.  Therefore, joyful people experience less stress, and can go through tense situations better.

It is important to note that we can rejoice by choice.  The next time you feel bad, choose to laugh out loud.  Before long, you will begin to laugh for real.  Laughter is a key to a long and satisfying life.  Happy, joyful married couples even have a better love life.  As we make laughter a way of life, we will feel better about ourselves, and then we can feel better about others.

It has been said that belly laughing is like internal jogging.  What jogging does for the body, laughter does something similar for the internal organs and body systems.  According to health experts, we should get ten good belly laughs a day to support good health.

We choose our own level of happiness, not other people, circumstances, events, or any such thing.  We are as happy, positive and joyful as we choose to be.  When things go wrong, the one thing we can control is our response.  So, choose joy over being down, happiness over sadness.  Change your mood by choosing to laugh.  Go through your day, laughing all the way!