The staff of San Diego Gay & Lesbian News is pleased to welcome Danny Arguetty to our list of contributors. His extensive background in all areas of healthy living will surely allow him to enlighten many through his weekly columns. You never know what you are gonna get, but you just might learn to get a LIFE (Living In Free Expression).

It seems more common for people to focus on the challenges and frustrations of life and forget all about the lighter moments.

Laughter is an age-old elixir that softens our armor, brightens the heart, and provides a plethora of health benefits to help us stay vibrant and sharp.

Laughing reduces high blood pressure, increases the oxygen level in the blood, and works the diaphragm, which in turn massages our internal organs including the stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder.

A sweet bout of the chuckles also generates feel-good endorphins, increases immune system responsiveness, and supports memory and learning.

In addition to these individual benefits, when we join in laughter with others we can increase bonding, enhance our capacity to work as a team, and shift out of a negative life perspective.

So make a date with yourself or friends. Go to see a stand-up comedian live or stream one on your computer, check out a humorous play, gather with friends for a night of joke-telling, or invite friends over for a silly dinner party, where everyone is required to share one comical element.

In case you need a hand in stimulating the laughter health effects in your life, check out these five chuckle-inducing resources:

• Shit Happens
• iPhone Autocorrect Mishaps
• VIDEO: Conan O'Brien -- Everything is Amazing and Nobody is Happy
• Laughter Yoga
• VIDEO: Kathy Griffin -- Gurrl Down

The key is to bring more laughter into your life.

More about Danny Arguetty, M.A.

Danny Arguetty, M.A., a Nutrition, Health and LIFE (Living in Free Expression) Counselor, has been involved in the health field for the last decade. He guides and works privately with clients utilizing customized programs based on bio-individual needs and diverse life situations.

He specializes in yoga privates, weight loss, digestive disorders, healthy aging, sugar/caffeine dependencies, persistent fatigue, chronic stress, relationship support, life coaching and practical healthy living strategies.

Arguetty is also a faculty member at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Adjunct Faculty at Williams College, and author of Nourishing the Teacher: inquiries, contemplations & insights on the path of yoga. He leads 200hr Yoga Teacher Trainings in Southern California and Advanced 500hr Trainings in Kerala, India.

Learn more about him at nourishyourlight.com or email him at danny@nourishyourlight.com. You can also follow him on Facebook.