Laser shock processing (LSP) is a new surface engineering approach to introduce significant compressive residual stress into ceramics to improve their mechanical properties. However, LSP of ceramics may induce microcracks, which limit the further improvement of mechanical properties of ceramics. In this research, the effect of a post-LSP annealing process on -Al2O3 ceramics was investigated. The annealing treatment can cause thermal relaxation of compressive residual stress generated by LSP while still maintain the positive attribute of LSP. The compressive residual stress was stabilized after annealing after 10 hours at 1100-1300 degrees C. The healing of microcracks in -Al2O3 ceramics was observed during the post-LSP annealing process, which is caused by diffusion bonding mechanisms and accompanied by dislocation and void formation. The combination of the stabilized compressive residual stress and microcrack healing can improve the cracking resistance of -Al2O3 ceramics to mechanical impact on the surface by 69%.