Several years ago I watched a video about comedian Dave Fitzgerald, a two-time cancer patient. In it, Dave discusses his experience with the disease and how he coped. He talks about his decisions and choices regarding treatment options, being involved in one’s own recovery, and keeping a sense of humor.

We've heard time after time that laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Humor lightens our burdens and opens the channels allowing hope to flow. Laughter is good for your physical and emotional health.

Studies show that humor and laughter boost the immune system, decrease stress hormones, and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. Laughter lowers blood pressure, gives our hearts a good workout, relaxes us immediately, and make us feel good by triggering the release of endorphins that promote an overall sense of well-being. That's why so many motivational speakers -- Loretta Laroche, Darren LaCroix, Rosemary Verri, to name a few -- utilize this powerful tool.

Here are a few tips:

-- Have a stressful commute to and from work? Listen to comedy CDs instead of talk radio.
-- Learn to laugh at yourself, rather than knock yourself down.
-- Rekindle your childlike wonderment about the world.
-- Limit your exposure to negative media

Have a joyful day everyone. And remember to live a flourishing life.

Author's Bio: 

Rita Schiano is the founder of Live A Flourishing Life™. As a former corporate vice-president and small business owner, Rita's leadership knowledge and insights draw from both sides of the aisle. Organizations use Rita to help staff manage stress in the workplace and improve morale. As a speaker and featured presenter, Rita leaves her audiences in a motivated and inspired frame of mind.

Rita is the author of several books, including Live A Flourishing Life, a stress management and resilience-building process workbook; the critically-acclaimed, semi-autobiographical novel Painting The Invisible Man, and Sweet Bitter Love and articles for The Huffington Post / AOL Healthy Living, The Worcester Business Journal, and Self-Growth.com, and guest blogger for Psychology Today.