28 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com “I think laughter is everything. I need it like water, sun and sleep,” said Melissa Sanderson, 50, of Columbia. “I feel elated, stress-relieved, alive … and, if it’s really good, my cheeks are sore.” Chances are, many of your most joyous moments have involved laughter. Whether it’s howling with a group of friends after a bout of hilarity or snickering to yourself when you are amused, there’s something special about the feeling you get after a deep belly laugh that brings tears to your eyes. But did you know that laughter didn’t begin as a reaction to humor? Research suggests that laughter started as a survival tool in animals as a way to communicate that the group was safe from harm. Harrison Brookie agreed that laughter isn’t always about the joke. As founder and executive director of Greenville’s Alchemy Comedy Theater, Brookie has overseen more than 3,000 weekly improv, stand-up and sketch comedy shows at Coffee Underground since 2011. “Laughter is interesting in that it only happens in social animals like gorillas, dogs and humans. It’s the opposite of fear. When you laugh, you are letting others know that it’s safe – you can be yourself here,” he said, adding that it’s also about social connection. “There’s something inherently bonding about the hobby of comedy. Laughter connects us to each other.” And while there is no way to know if someone is actually laughing out loud when texting LOL, it would certainly benefit their health if they were. Certified laughter yoga instructor Linda Gillen has been helping people intentionally chuckle for eight years and said laughter improves your physical, emotional and mental well-being. BETTER HEALTH – By Amy Connor
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