Why do people laugh? Because something is funny, some would probably say. However, there is more to it.

How do human beings know that something is funny? And when they decide that something is funny, why do they laugh? How important is laughter in our daily lives?

A recent study revealed the most specific scenario which people tend to consider as funny. Accordingly, "shock wasn't what drove people's perception of funny the most." However, crudeness was said to be funny, according to some of the respondents.

British researcher Richard Wiseman ran his study by asking more than a million people to rate their favorite jokes. He noted that "jokes that were based on shock or surprise were among some of the highest rated, however more important was a sense of false expectations being overturned."

Wiseman further noted that humor appears to happen when there is an "inner conflict" within a person's brain. It was pointed out that whenever there is confusion or conflict, the chances of laughing increase. It is worth noting, though, that people from different cultures have different parameters of what makes something confusing.

Whatever motivates someone to laugh, or perceive a situation as funny, there is no denying that people love to laugh. In fact, an average adult laughs 17 times daily.

Meanwhile, here are five reasons why laughing is good for everyone. What could be the benefits it brings? 

April, being the National Humor Month, might just be the best time to increase your laughing and reap some benefits.

According to certified speaking professional Chip Lutz, there are five major reasons to join the celebration:

1. Humor helps reduce stress

2. Humor can help us cope with difficult situations

3. Humor helps bolster relationships

4. It's Fun!

5. It will make you better looking and lose weight (results not guaranteed).