Have you heard any good jokes lately? Maybe you were the unfortunate recipient of an April Fools’ Day prank – hopefully not! In any case, the laughter that resulted may have a role in reducing your stress.

This article from the Mayo Clinic outlines the positive benefits laughing can have to your health.

“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,” the article states.

Below are those short-term effects that a good laugh can induce.

• “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 increases your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.”

• “Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.”

So if you were on the receiving end of an April Fools’ Day prank, take a minute to laugh about it – you’re getting great health benefits!

To read the entire Mayo Clinic article that’s cited above, click here.