You’ve probably heard the phrase, laughter is the best medicine. That’s because laughter reduces stress. Humor and laughter trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being that reduces the negative effects of stress. Laughter makes you feel good. It’s infectious, and the sound of roaring laughter is contagious.
The good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Laughter is engendered through humor, which helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook in difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. And this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use. All this combined are why the old phrase, Laughter is the best medicine, is so true.
Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Laughing is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, fixing relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Laughter protects the heart; it improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect against cardiovascular problems.
Laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh—or even simply a smile—can go a long way toward making you feel better. It has been said that the direction in which the corners of your mouth point will be the way your day goes. During my presentations, I often ask the audience to smile, turn to a neighbor, and say, “I’m so angry at you.” Try it! You will see how the power of smiling and laughter affect your emotions.
Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can not feel anxious, angry, or sad—significant sources of stress—when you are smiling, laughing, or engaging in humor. This simple, free activity increases energy, allowing you to stay focused and accomplish more. Using humor allows you to see situations from a more realistc, less threatening viewpoint. It creates a healthy perspective and helps you avoid being overwhelmed.
Here are a few suggestions to add humor and laughter to your life.
- Subscribe to a humor website and read a joke each day.
- Read the funny pages.
- Watch a romantic comedy.
- Talk often to someone you find funny.
- Share a joke with someone.
- Purchase or borrow a joke book from a library.
- Host a game night with friends. You may find that just organizing a game is funnier than the game itself.
- Do something silly.
- Spend some time having fun with a child.
Give these suggestions a try so you too can experience why laughter is the best medicine.
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My new book, Live Without Stress: How to Enjoy the Journey, is now available as a Kindle book. This book will show how to use some simple strategies to significantly reduce your stress, promote responsibility, increase your effectiveness, improve your relationships, and truly enjoy life’s experiences.
