1. Laughter reduces stress hormone levels so you feel less stressed.

2. Laughter enhances your immunity by improving your mood.

Your immune system is stronger on your "up" days and you are less prone to upper respiratory infections.

3. Laughter causes you to breathe more fully, bringing in more oxygen and releasing toxins.

4. After a good laugh your blood pressure drops, your heart rate and breathing slow down and your muscle tension decreases.

5. Humour helps you find joy in life, even in stressful times.

6. Laughter increases your productivity and creativity.

7. Laughter helps your muscles to relax.

This natural relaxation effect not only helps to reduce stress but it also has been shown to alleviate heart disease, headaches, chronic anxiety and other problems.

8. Laughter alleviates pain in the chronically ill.

Norman Cousins in his book "Head First: The Biology of Hope" noticed that 10 minutes of belly laughter often gave him 2 hours of pain-free sleep.