Most people have heard that laughter is contagious. It's difficult to refute that claim, when you hear someone laughing uncontrollably, laughing until tears are streaming down their face, and you just can't help yourself from joining in. Even if you don't know what this person is laughing about, it could be a joke, perhaps some funny pictures, it doesn't seem to matter. Once you've caught the laughing bug, you're stuck with it. No one knows how long it lasts. The duration is different for everyone. Most people will agree that out of all the stuff there is to be afflicted with, the laughter bug is one thing they enjoy catching.

It also often heard that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing helps boost your immunity, decreases pain, and lowers stress. When you laugh, endorphins are released throughout your body causing your mood to improve, your mind to be less burdened and your body to feel more relaxed. It gives you the same benefits that a lot of drugs are used to achieve, but it's free and it's good for you, mind body and soul.

Making people laugh has become a very lucrative profession. There are countless comedians who get paid to make crowds of people laugh. Some people are harder to crack than others, and not everyone finds the same things funny, but everyone is capable of producing laughter.

Babies, from a very young age are able to giggle. Parents delight in seeing their children smile for the first time. Hearing a baby laugh is something that brightens the day of most people, whether the baby belongs to them or not.

When people laugh together it strengthens bonds. When you're able to laugh at the same things it often gives people a sense of togetherness, a feeling that you have something in common, even if you have no idea why you're laughing.

There are many shows on television geared toward making people laugh. There are reality shows, with clips of funny home movies that people in the audience watch and vote on. Whichever video brought the most laughter to the audience, wins. Laughing seems to take place more often in social situations, when we are able to share it with other people. A lot of comedy shows on television even make use of laugh tracks, prerecorded laughter, to help the audience at home catch the giggles.

Interacting with others, hanging out with friends and family, for most people is always more enjoyable when the air is filled with happy the happy laughter of the people they are close to, but it's not something that has to be confined to the people you know. Laughing amongst strangers can be just as fulfilling and can help in forming new friendships.

Laughing is something that brings people closer together. People use laughter to lighten the mood in stressful situations, and can be very helpful in repairing broken relationships. Not everyone will agree that they like to laugh, but the positive effects of it, once it has begun are undeniable. Whether you want to feel better yourself or you want to make someone else feel good, telling a joke, or sharing some funny pictures, are great ways to get started spreading the joy of laughter to your fellow man.