NO LAUGHTER IN YOUR LIFE? What a Pity!

       “Give Your Body a Boost with Laughter!” (R. Morgan Griffin in WebMD.)

        “I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off.”  Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, psychologist/ laugh therapist. “They might be healthier too.”

        “The definitive research into the potential health benefits of laughter just hasn’t been done yet.”  Robert R. Provine, professor of psychology and neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, author of LAUGHTER: A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION.  

           I wish I could tell you who wrote “The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter,” so proper credit could go to the writer, anonymous. However, the writing is too good not to report: “Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.”

The article goes on:

• Laughter is a strong medicine
• Laughter and emotional health
• Social benefits of laughter
• Bringing more laughter into your life
•     Developing sense of humor
• Using humor to overcome challenges
  

     While I applaud the multi benefits of laughter and its temporary relief of distressing emotions, there are times you cannot avoid feeling anxious, angry, or sad. What to do?                               

    Create opportunities to laugh:

    

• Watch a funny movie or TV show
•  Share a good joke or funny story
•  Play with a pet (You would be surprise at how pets can improve your mood)
•  Find where they conduct “laughing yoga classes”
•  Goof around with children. Miraculous creatures.
•  Make time for fun activities. For example, bowling, karaoke, mini golf, etc.
•  Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles. You will forget judgments, criticism, and doubts.

  Here are some ways to start:

                                        

• Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter. Like laughter is contagious.
• Count your blessings. Literally make a list. The simple act of considering the good things in your life will distance you from negative thoughts that are a barrier to humor and laughter. When you’re in a state of sadness, you have further to travel to get to humor and laughter.
• When you hear laughter, move toward it. Sometime humor and laughter are private, a shared joke among a small group, but usually not. More often, people are very happy to share something funny because it gives them an opportunity to laugh again and feed off the humor you find in it. When you hear laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s so funny?”

     Developing your sense of humor. Take yourself less seriously.

As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to your daily. Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive creative, joyful, and balanced perspective. 

http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm