Police officer

( Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images / May 6, 2011 )

"Sometimes it may not seem there is much to laugh about out in the streets that officers are patrolling," says Vaszily. "But even faking laughter has been shown to provide strong stress-clearing, spirit-lifting benefits. The physical act of laughing releases endorphins that make people feel good, relaxes the muscles, and suppresses the mean hormones that make people feel stressed. So whether they're on foot, on motorcycles or inside their vehicles, it would serve police officers well to let out a good series of belly laughs. Even if they are faked, the benefits are deep and real."

(Above: Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, at right, watch as people move through Grand Central Station in New York.)

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