Is this just a benign saying or does the old adage “Laughter is the Best Medicine” actually have something to it?

It turns out that it does… it’s scientifically proven that laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and boost immune function. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers – as well as producing a general sense of well-being.

Can it help your acne?

I think so! Anything that lowers your stress levels, lets you forget your worries, and allows you to feel connected is going to have a positive effect on your skin.

I, myself, have been a bit angsty about my skin lately, but I had such a wonderful experience over the past Easter weekend that helped me put things in perspective.

I’ve moved back to my small, coastal hometown from Vancouver, which is a complete relief for me. Living in Vancouver wasn`t so bad, but I didn’t have a lot of friends there, and it’s really not where my heart feels its most open. I was in kind of a rut where I was spending a lot of time in my apartment bedroom, doing the same thing day after day, and definitely not getting enough socializing in.

However, on Saturday, my town hosted an Earth Day Eco-carnival, where I caught up with lots of fine folks and old friends under a gorgeous, sunny, spring sky. My friends and I went out for dinner, and then we ended up having a crazy night together completely laughing our asses off.

I haven’t laughed so hard in ages! It was so wonderful to take a break from my work and just give myself a whole day and night to be silly and spontaneous and completely connected to my old pals.

The best part is that I hardly thought about my skin at all the whole night (even though it’s a holiday so I haven’t been eating all that healthy). At times I was tempted to worry about it, but I just realized how AMAZING I felt laughing so hard with my friends. I realized how much people choose to miss out on this beautiful, therapeutic practice because they are terrified of being vulnerable, imperfect, and not in control.

Always remember that your friends love you for who you are. Everyone is incredibly unique with their problems and insecurities but also with their adorable, quirky personalities. Including you – and your group of friends, your family, your work, your school, or any other place you hold in this world would suffer if you hide away and refuse to shine – acne or no acne. As much as you may think so, you aren’t doing anyone any favours – especially yourself.

In fact, before the day began, I almost felt a mild pang of that old “Ugh. I know this isn’t going to be a healthy day. I don’t even feel like going”. I nipped the negativity in the bud before it went too far, and ended up having the best day I`ve had in a long time.

Would I have been healthier for staying home and eating healthy food and missing out on such an incredible night?

Nope. Don’t think so.

And would my friends have been sad to miss spending quality time with me? Yep.

And guess what? This weekend was actually the worst unhealthy eating streak I’ve had in ages. If I chose to give in to fear, I would expect that my skin would have taken a beating this week.

But guess what? It’s fine! I know that all that laughter and connection with my friends cancelled it out. How awesome is that? Laughter is nature’s best beautifier because it is completely impossible to laugh and  be stressed out at the same time.

So grab a friend, fire up some silly videos on youtube and start ROFLing because it may be a ticket to gorgeous skin!

photo by Norma Desmond