Is laughter the best medicine?

According to a few medical studies, it may very well be.

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A study at the University of Maryland Medical Center recently proved that laughing is good for your heart. They studied the difference between people who watched a serious drama and those who watched a comedy. The results showed that those who watched the comedy had improved blood vessel function, while those watching the drama experienced blood vessel restriction.

What this means is that when you laugh, you increase your blood vessel flow, which keeps you healthy. When you are stressed, your blood vessel flow is restricted, increasing risk of heart trouble.

Laughter burns calories

Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Maciej Buchowski, Ph.D., found that laughing raises energy expenditure and increases heart rate 10 percent to 20 percent. Ten to 15 minutes of laughter could increase energy expenditure by 10 to 40 calories per day, which could translate into about four pounds a year.

We can learn from these studies that including laughter in our lives is a positive way to counter the negative effects of stress and burn a few extra calories, too.

What makes you laugh?

Is it watching movies? Is it your grandchildren? Is it your pets? Telling jokes?

Take a moment to think about the times when you laugh out loud. Then, try to do more of these things!

Whatever you need to do, putting "laugh more" on your to do list sounds like fun!