VOL. XVII, NO. 13
MAY 14, 1976
Everyone Likes A Good Laugh
By CINDY BURGSTROM

When was the last time you had a good laugh - not just a polite snicker or a carefully guarded giggle, but a real out and out laugh? If the answer is "not lately," you don't know what you may be missing. The saying, "Laughter is the best medicine," has more truth to it than meets the eye (or ear, for that matter.)

Laughter is an expression of happiness. It may be caused by humor, nervousness, or just plain good spirits. Everyone, even the smallest child, is capable of laughter. It's something that doesn't need to be taught or learned. Just as crying expresses sadness, laughing expresses a feeling of well‑being.
Since the ability to laugh at ourselves and our troubles is greatly admired, laughter is an often sought after commodity. People pay to watch plays and movies just to enjoy themselves and have a good laugh. Laughter has become big business. More and more witty people are going into show business as comedians or comedy writers, and they're making big money at it.

Although spontaneity is the key, good comedic tactics may be taught by qualified people. The College of Comedy in New York offers courses in joke-telling and writing for people interested in comedy careers.

Finally, for all you health nuts out there, laughter is good for you physically. When you laugh, you diaphragm forces air in and out of your lungs. This gets more oxygen into your blood, revving up circulation and making you feel better all over. Speaking of health nuts, did you hear the one about . . .