The love of laughter

Laughter has been known to do many things. It relaxes the body. It boosts the immune system. It helps blood flow to the heart. It creates endorphins that make you feel good!

We Polynesians LOVE to laugh. Many times the laughter is not just soft, giggling in the hand like a geisha. It's all out guffawing where the neighborhood can hear and possibly the next town over. Once laughter starts within a Polynesian group, it doesn't stop. Because once it starts, one story has to top the next and the sounds of joy escalate. We know how to enjoy life. We know how to relax. We know how to smile. Even the most stoic person can't help but have their mouth start to turn up and show some teeth.

Scientists have also claimed that laughter burns calories. I like to laugh and when I'm around my family, it's all out ruckus. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the benefits in the calories department. Maybe it's because we're usually together eating. Quite a bit. That could be counterproductive. I don't know. That's why I'm not a scientist. Too many numbers.