In theory, everyone already knows: laughter is healthy, laughter is the best medicine. Sometimes, however, you forget and just need to be reminded again.

Laughter connects people and is contagious, even if you might not be in a good mood at the moment.

How can you become happier through laughter? How do you bring more laughter into your life?

Babies and toddlers show us how it's done. For them, life is one big joke. Statistically speaking, a toddler laughs around 300 times a day. By laughing and smiling, they let us know that they are happy. They are happy because they have everything they need and don't worry about what they don't have. They are experts at being happy. They are happy when they have mummy and daddy with them, so they laugh. They are happy when they get their food, so they laugh. They are happy when they can play with a discarded cardboard box, so they laugh.
Adults, on the other hand, laugh about 15 times a day. Adults have worries or worry about things they would like to have but don't have. As a result, we laugh less overall and are probably not as carefree and happy as a two-year-old child.
This is a completely natural development, but it doesn't have to mean that we can't bring more laughter into our lives. We can be happier by bringing more laughter into our lives.

When we laugh heartily, we exercise a lot of muscles. Our pulse rate increases and endorphins (happiness hormones) are released. After a good, natural laugh, we feel relaxed, alive and...completely satisfied. Even some time later, the thought of that heartfelt moment that made us laugh like that makes us smile and feel good.

How can you bring more laughter into your life?
More laughter in your life will make you happier and more relaxed. Here are a few suggestions on how you can consciously create funny moments that make you laugh.

If there is a naturally funny moment that arises by chance, savour it to the full and have a good laugh. Bathe in the feeling of deep satisfaction of this moment.
That may sound old-fashioned, but it helps. Watch funny films or TV series that suit your sense of humour. Get into the habit of laughing out loud when you find something funny, even if you're sitting alone in front of the TV. When you switch on the TV, look for the channel that broadcasts comedies and not the news channel.

Speaking of news: Even if you feel like you're not up to date with the latest news, avoid the news. News is usually negative and makes you feel bad. You also don't necessarily need to know everything bad that has happened in the world, especially because it's all being exploited by the media. Personally, I prefer to have less blood in my living room. If you know about every disaster, what good does it do for the people who have suffered it?

Play with small children and be really silly. Let them show you how to have fun and laugh.
When meeting up with friends, play a parlour game instead of just chatting.
Look for pictures or cartoons on the internet that make you laugh (for example at http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=laughing&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2). Download a few images that you can have on your desk that will make you smile every time you see them. Change the images frequently so that the effect doesn't become dull.

There are laughter therapies. Find out whether it is something for you or simply give it a try.
Just laugh from time to time for no reason. Even if it seems artificial at first, you'll learn to laugh 'properly' over time. What's more, you'll probably feel so silly that you'll laugh just for the sake of it.

If you really want to be happier, make laughter an essential part of your life. Laughter is just as physically and mentally healthy as daily vitamins and exercise. Start laughing right now!

The next time another driver kindly lets you out of your parking space, smile warmly and thank them. This will make him feel good. In turn, this good mood will prompt them to smile at another person at the next opportunity, and so on. Occasionally you will meet one of these people in the chain reaction and receive the smile back that you gave first. Moments like these really lift your spirits!