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Throughout the past year, it&rsquo;s been easy to focus only on the serious side of life and to become distracted from the fun.
				The COVID-19 pandemic has surely introduced stresses and challenges to our lives, and it has induced in many of us a vigilance that helps keep ourselves and those around us safe. And before I get to the BUT, it&rsquo;s necessary to note that vigilance is still essential.
				Even as more people in our community get vaccinated, COVID-19 activity is increasing again, so wearing masks, maintaining distance, and keeping our hands clean when around others is vital, perhaps more important than ever.
				We&rsquo;re at a decision point between finally getting this behind us, or declaring victory prematurely and finding ourselves back in the thick of the &ldquo;bad times.&rdquo;
				BUT, all of that vigilance, care and consideration can make us feel like we&rsquo;ve been constantly on edge since the pandemic began, and it&rsquo;s important for us to &mdash; well &mdash; laugh a little. We know laughter feels good and has positive psychological benefits, but in recent years, it&rsquo;s become more clear that those benefits extend to physiological health as well.
				When we laugh, our bodies release endorphins, the chemicals that make us feel good. Endorphins can increase the body&rsquo;s natural painkilling response, which can relieve chronic pain and improve mood. Laughter also decreases the body&rsquo;s production of stress hormones, such as cortisol.
				So, when we learn to use humor as a coping mechanism in stressful times, we are doing much more than choosing to distract ourselves from our troubles. We are actually reducing stress responses in our bodies.
				Laughter can calm us to prepare us for the day, or it can relax us when we want to go to bed. If holding off those stress hormones weren&rsquo;t enough, laughter can even activate infection-fighting cells, boosting our body&rsquo;s immune system and making us less susceptible to disease.
				Another benefit is increased blood flow to organs. Laughing makes us breathe deeply, which in turn delivers more oxygen to the lungs and helps the heart pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
				Better blood flow and increased oxygen results in healthy cell growth and organs that work more efficiently. And just as a few minutes of hearty laughter can alleviate mental stress, it can also reduce physical stress, relaxing the muscles and making us feel less tense.
				So, how do we work some chuckles into our daily routine if comedy isn&rsquo;t among our strong suits?
				Let the pros do it for you. Make time to watch a sitcom or standup act that tickles your funny bone. If you have the space in your schedule, make it a routine, so you get your dose of laughter weekly.
				Tell a joke. You don&rsquo;t have to be a professional comedian to share a joke or a funny story, and the laughter you induce just might make someone&rsquo;s day. Before you know it, you could both be giggling to better health. Connect with people who make you laugh. Whether it&rsquo;s your funny friend, pun-peddling relative,or story-telling colleague, talk to those who bring the laughter out of you.
				And never skip an opportunity to play with the silly puppy or mischievous cat in your life. Our animal companions can make us laugh often too.
				Finally, don&rsquo;t be afraid to do something goofy. Play with your children and especially grandchildren if you&rsquo;re THAT fortunate, with childlike glee and reckless abandon. Dress up in silly costumes and do awful impersonations. Dance like no one is watching and sing like &mdash; hopefully &mdash; no one is listening.
				You see, Mary and Kate, that&rsquo;s my explanation &mdash; it&rsquo;s part of my wellness plan. Whatever you do, let yourself laugh, and enjoy the health benefits that come with it.

To Your Health: Laughter benefits physical, mental health