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Laughter is critical to maintaining a healthy mind

An older woman and a younger girl laugh.
Mohammad Meenhaj Uddin
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Laughter is good for you, Dr. Farha Abassi said.

There’s an old adage that laughter is the best medicine. 

Michigan State University psychiatrist Dr. Farha Abbasi believes there’s some scientific truth to that. 

 
Abbasi joined Stateside to discuss the mental and physical health benefits of laughter. She recommends, especially in fractious political times, that people take breaks from the news to watch a funny video. 
 
The issue is personal for Abbasi. As an immigrant, she says, she wouldn't have survived if she weren't able to laugh through the struggles of moving to a new country. 
 
Listen to our full conversation with Abbasi above.
 
Minding Michigan is Stateside’s ongoing series that examines mental health issues in our state.

Michigan Radio originally aired this story on April 20, 2017.

 
(Subscribe to the Stateside podcast on iTunesGoogle Play, or with this RSS link)

Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.
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