If there is a laughter deficit in this country, perhaps we are to blame. It’s a target-rich environment
In a commendably shameless attempt to promote their comedy slate, the good folk over at Sky recently conducted a survey of 2,000 great Britons to find out when the last time was that they, ie we, had laughed out loud. Their findings were no laughing matter: “42% of Brits admitted that they cannot remember the last time they laughed out loud, with 32% of those surveyed believing they haven’t as much as giggled in the last month.”
Laughter, merriment: it’s a serious business. It brings immense health benefits: it helps relax the body, boost the immune system, release endorphins (our natural feelgood chemicals) and burn calories. Laughter may even help you live longer. If I were confident it would not inspire this government to dream up further budget cuts, I’d max out and say laughter could ease pressure on the NHS.
Nels Abbey is a writer, broadcaster and former banker. He is the author of the satirical book Think Like a White Man
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