World Laughter Day is customarily celebrated on the first Sunday of May.

This year on May 1, the world will once again come together to laugh and spread the word of happiness and joy.

鈥淟aughter is the best medicine. I love to share and promote health and spread peace through laughter,鈥� said Akiko Shima, a Comox Valley laughter leader.

Here are 10 good reasons to come and laugh:

1. Laughter is a stress buster. It reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body.

2. Laughter strengthens the immune system and helps maintain good health.

3. Laughter is anti-aging. It increases blood supply to the face, nourishing the skin and making it glow.

4. Laughter is an aerobic exercise equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise.

5. Laughter increases the levels of endorphins - the body鈥檚 natural painkillers.

6. Laughter helps control high blood pressure by reducing the release of stress-related hormones.

7. Laughter helps depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders.

8. Laughter Yoga makes us more creative and imaginative. It improves our sense of humour.

9. Laughter shrinks the hurts of everyday life to a smaller, if not inconsequential, size. It interrupts the power struggle and defuses anger by releasing it.

10. Laughter helps individuals be more self-confident and self-expressive.

The celebration will take place Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Women鈥檚 Resource Centre at 1-1491 McPhee Ave. in Courtenay. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Akiko Shima at 250-339-2195,  Alan Pattinson at 250-339-2687 or visit www. InvokeLaughter.com.