April Fool’s Day – Laughing makes happy, healthy families

Matti Daniels
Family and Consumer Sciences

Laughter encourages many individual health benefits such as reduced stressed levels, lowered blood pressure, enhanced memory, stronger immune system and enriched creativity and alertness.

Families who laugh together are also often healthier and happier. Happy families are often close; they enjoy spending time together and supporting one another. While the typical day may be busy with school and work routines, it can be easy to add the goof-factor. For example, you can sing in the car or tell jokes or funny stories while you cook dinner or wait at a restaurant. Other ways that a family can laugh more includes:

• Be silly. Say silly things, use crazy voices, make funny faces, make up odd words when reading books or singing songs.

• Laugh at yourself. Laughing at yourself can help your children build a sense of humor.

• Be appreciative. Recognize each family member’s sense of humor.

• Lighten up. Do not take life too seriously all of the time.

• Play more. Being playful can lighten a mood and trigger laugher.

• Adjust the environment. Bring some spirit into your home through photos, color, light and toys.

• Laugh hard. Sincere, honest laughter is contagious.

Reference: Bright Horizons Family Solutions. (2016). The secret to building a happy and healthy family: Laugh more.

Retrieved January 19, 2016 from http://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/e-family-news/2014-laughter-the-secret-to-building-a-happy-healthy-family/
Source: Amy Hosier, Extension Specialist for Family Life, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.