Two well known and much quoted Chinese proverbs state "A person should laugh three times a day to live longer" and "A good laugh makes you ten years younger, while worry turns your hair grey". They said this over 5000 years ago. And of course science can back it up now: Research carried out at the State University of New York found that laughter increased the levels of an antibody called 'immunoglobulin A' which is found in the lining of the nose and helps the body to fight illnesses. People with few antibodies are more prone to colds, coughs and other infections. Laughter decreases stress hormones, and triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemical. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Laughter lowers blood pressure and can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation. Of course there are all the other things we know laughter can do, change your perspective, allows us to see certain things as less scary or threatening, it gets us to take things less seriously, it counteracts feelings of anxiety and sadness and helps us to release other intense emotions like anger and grief.