When was the last time you held your stomach because you were laughing SO hard? Just the thought of watching an “I Love Lucy” re-run or one of Dave Chappelle’s lost episodes for the fifth time can put most worries on hold; even if for a brief time. Laughter is infectious. We all know the liberating feeling of losing ourselves in laughter; but could laughter REALLY be the key to happiness? Many have started to harness this energy and create laughter workshops where you actually go to seriously get your laugh on. Even if you start out with a forced laugh, your body releases endorphins which raise your vibration and enhance your mood.
Research studies have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, boost the immune system, decrease stress, change the “negative” chemicals in the mind, ease conflict, lighten burdens, and inspire hope. Laughter makes you feel more connected to others, more energetic and helps to bring your mind and body back into balance.
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
Even if we don’t exercise regularly, we know its benefits. Physical exercise helps us reduce stress levels and achieve mental clarity. But can laughter do the same thing? ABSOLUTELY!!! If we build laughter into our day just as we do with exercise, we can increase our happiness and overall sense of wellbeing. Laughter is an incredibly powerful medicine for the mind and body – it’s free, convenient and beneficial in so many ways.
So how do you get more laughter in your life?
We can find laughter in countless ways. Maybe for you it’s laughing with friends, going to comedy clubs, watching funny movies or viral video clips on-line, joining a laughter workshop, or listening to a crazy song. The list is endless. Or if all else fails and you really need to improve how you’re feeling, get your own laughter “roll” started. Smile, pull something humorous out of your funny memory bank, and begin to chuckle, then give yourself permission to just LAUGH. Watch how this can improve your mood.
If you tend to take yourself too seriously, this simple approach can help you look at the world from a different perspective and see a funnier side of life. It is way too easy to allow life to feel like a heavy weight on our shoulders. Lighten up and allow yourself the freedom to let go, laugh and enjoy the world for what it is.
#laughter #joy #wellness