In this fast paced and stressful life that we often lead, one can have the tendency to forget how to laugh. The adage ‘laughter is the best medicine’ could well be true as there is strong evidence to suggest that laughter can actually improve health. I have read that laughter therapy (also known as psycho-neuroimmunology) can actually reduce stress hormone. The psychological benefits of humour are being recognised in the healthcare field. People often store negative emotions, such as anger, sadness and fear, rather than expressing them. Laughter provides a way for these emotions to be harmlessly released. Laughter is cathartic. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

There are of course many reasons why a person laughs, but it is often as a response to what is said and what is seen. When choosing a gift for your friend or family member, would it not be an excellent idea to buy a funny gift, joke gift or a gag gift. Of course the funnier the gift, the bigger and louder the laugh! In this short article I want to highlight 5 top amusing and affordable funny gifts.

Executive Gentlemen’s Ball Scratcher- this really is the ultimate funny gift for men, boyfriends or husbands. This is definitely the present for the man who has everything! Aimed at the “Busy Male Executive” is the Gentleman’s Ball Scratcher! For the days when your own hands are just not precise enough, the Gentleman’s Ball Scratcher is in the shape of a delicate female hand, for those hard to reach places. The 9 inch handle provides excellent extra length to help get around difficult obstacles (beer bellies, old pizza, empty beer cans etc.) and provide the relief so many crave…not he can do it with style. This is most certainly not a gift for the ladies.

Crazy 8 Ball- the crazy 8 ball is perfect for those who play ball but often looses. This 2 inch diameter ball feels and looks exactly like a normal Pool ball but it has one fun difference which makes it wobble and go in all directions except the one intended. Just watch the amazement on your opponents face, as after you have discretely substituted the 8 Ball, he tries his pot! A really fun gift idea that will give you many laughs.

Remote Controlled Fart Machine- We all remember the good old fashioned Whoopee Cushion don’t we? Now take this hilarious farting gag to a whole new level with this remote controlled fart machine. The remote works at impressive distances and the machine produces a variety of realistic sounds, from polite little “boom-sa-lars” to a “morning after baked beans” trumpet.

USB Missile Launcher- The ultimate weaponry gadget in office warfare, the USB controlled Missile Launcher with sound effects is controlled by your PC and fires foam darts. Next time someone annoys you, take aim, and fire. Your PC can control the aim and will also fire the dart.

Beer Alarm- Protect you precious pint with this Beer Burglar Alarm System. Attach the little “sucker” to the side of you beer glass or bottle, set the proximity alert and walk away. Whenever someone comes within 30cm (12 inches) of your beer the mafia style voice alert sounds: “Keepa Da Hands off ma BEER!” The alarm can go off as a Siren or as the Mafia Voice.

These are only a minute handful of the large range of funny gifts available. However, one common purpose they should all have, is to make the person laugh.

Stress is a staple part of life. Contrary to popular belief, stress can actually come from almost every situation whether they bring excitement, happiness, sadness of anxiety. What makes this a thing of complexity is that stress actually differs from person to person. On the other hand, no matter how complicated the math of stress may be, the mere act of laughing at short funny jokes, expressing feelings, and smiling could release one of the perils of stress.

Stress’ effect on the body is contingent upon its intensity. In small quantities, stress can be a source of productivity and motivation. However, too much of it could yield adverse emotional, physical and mental effects for a person. In fact, experiencing too much stress could result to depression, heart disease and infection. It is also said to be one of the causes of overeating, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Fluctuating emotional states, low blood sugar, heart diseases, and overactive thyroids are also believed by science to be some effects of stress.

The fast-paced world clouded by the pressures of work and the demands of living compounds stress. This is why spa and sauna businesses have been a booming industry in the recent years because people are made to believe that availing their services is the only effective means to de-stress. However, there is no need to go on a money splurging activity to relieve stress. Here are some simple ways by which you could deal with stress without having to burn some cash.

1. Learn to smile.
Don’t undermine the power of smiling. Take every opportunity to flash that million dollar smile. As surprising as it may seem, smiling could actually lighten a very unpleasant situation.

2. Talk about what stresses you.
Talking about problems and sources of anxiety is a great way to release the burden of having to deal with a stressful day. It doesn’t only relieve stress; it also enriches your social life and keeps you in touch with friends and family.

3. Keep a journal and write about your feelings.
There are some people who might not be that comfortable sharing their emotions to others no matter how close they are to the person. When such is the case, journal writing is the way to go. Writing about what happened during the day is a manner of cleansing oneself of all the anxieties during a hard day at work.

4. Reading a book that interests you.
Reading a good book increases your knowledge, and do well for your overall health. A really inspiring book can elicit a feeling of lightness and motivation in a person. Sometimes, it can even encourage a person to act on life-changing decisions.

5. Laughing at short funny jokes.
Studies show that 40% of people who have heart diseases are less likely to be inclined to laughing. As funny as it may seem, laughter might just be the cheapest and easiest way to relieve stress. Joking around with friends, watching funny films or TV shows and reading funny comics are cheap and fun solutions to de-stress.

Stress may be part of everyday living, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to letting it through and take over. Accentuating the positive is a solution to deal with it. After all, stress is not what occurs; it’s how one reacts to it.

 Scorers: Snowstorm Gladiators: Tries- Jack Corfield (1) Conversions -Taine Pisi (1) Penalties- Taine Pisi (1)

The crowds were set for a thriller at Arctic Fortress between 2 pretty evenly matched sides. This was going to test the players strength and fitness as both sides would go at it hard. It was the Gladiators who started stronger with a brilliant pass from Flyhalf Taine Pisi to winger Jack Corfield to open the scoring in the 3rd minute. A tough battle took place in the middle of the park before Waverley fullback Bayo Grantham slotted a penalty goal.

A heated exchange took place between Faka’sofilau and Organ but nothing too dangerous happened. There were only 3 more points scored in the half with the Gladiators leading 7-6 at the break. Grantham was on song with the boot, connecting with his third penalty of the match in the 49th minute. Daryl Bradbury came in for Gennaro Ventura at Inside Centre in the 52nd minute, which was a blow to the Gladiators game plan.

The Gladiators took the lead shortly after, and we thought it might be the wise words and supreme tactics of legendary Manager Tim Hollis that would win them the game, but it was not to be as Partridge scored in the 68th minute. This was the Gladiators second league loss in a row. A silver lining for the Gladiators, was that they managed a crucial Bonus Point for finishing within 7 points.

Manager Tim had this to say… “We fell narrowly short against a good side, we know that whenever we play Waverley it will be tough, they are a strong unit, but so are we, and if a couple of more things had gone our way, we might have won”.

On why he decided to rest Arnie Forster… ” He wasn’t fit enough, although I do think Caleb Poles did a good job replacing him.

It appeared that the Gladiators downfall was their possession and territory percentages. It was only 33 and 41% respectively. They will need to improve against a strong Redneck Nukes side next week. The Lineout and defense will be worked on at training this week.