He Who Laughs, Lasts
"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Always laugh when you can. It is cheap and strong medicine. A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. He who laughs…lasts.
I can always use a good laugh. Did you know laughter can improve your health? As children we used to laugh a lot, but as an adult life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. By seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter you can improve your emotional health, strengthen relationships, find greater happiness and even add years to your life.
Why is laughter good for your health? A good laugh has great short-term and long-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Studies show It can relieve physical tension and stress because it stimulates circulation and aid muscle relaxation. It can decrease stress hormones and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. It triggers the release of endorphins, to help you feel better and help with pain. It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against heart attack. 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn about 40 calories. It's not only good for us physically, but good for the soul.
Saw this in an email this morning: My Self-Isolation Quarantine Diary
Day 1: I can do this! Got enough food and wine to last a month!
Day 2: Opening my 8th bottle of wine. I fear wine supplies might not last!
Day 3: Strawberries: some have 210 seeds; some have 235 seeds. Who knew?
Day 4: 8pm. Removed my Day pajamas and put on my Night pajamas.
Day 5: Today I tried to make Hand Sanitizer. It came out as Jello Shots.
Day 6: I get to take the garbage out. I'm so excited, I can't decide what to wear.
Day 7: Laughing WAY to hard at my own jokes!
Day 23: I can't believe I've lasted this long. Wait, is it really only day 8?
Day 9: Went to a new restaurant called "The Kitchen". You have to gather all the ingredients and make your own meal. I have no clue how this place is still in business.
Day 10: Struck up a conversation with a spider today. Seems nice. He's a Web designer.
Day 11: I swear my fridge just said, "What the hell do you want now?"
Day 12: I realized why dogs get so excited about something moving outside, going for walks or car rides. I just barked at a squirrel.
Day 300: Watched the birds fight over a worm. The Cardinals lead the Blue Jays 3-1.
Day 14: If you keep a glass of wine in each hand, you can't accidentally touch your face.
Day 15: I put liquor bottles in every room. Tonight, I'm going bar hopping.
So, improve your sense of humor. Humor can be learned and induced. Here are some tips:
Surround yourself with things that make you laugh. Find some old photos, greeting cards or comic strips that make you giggle. Put them where you can see them in your office or near your computer. Read funny books, watch funny movies or go see your favorite comedian. (Shout out to local Jo-Koy)
Learn to laugh at yourself. Crack yourself up. It's ok if sometimes (or almost always) you're the only one. If you find a way to laugh about your own situations, you'll feel the stress fade away.
Share a laugh with others. Make it a habit. Practice "Joke of the Day," with your friends and co-workers.
Give it a try. Recognize how a little laughter in your day makes you feel. More relaxed? Less tense?
Make today great!
Curtis
"If you wish to glimpse inside a human soul and get to know a man, don't bother analyzing his ways of being silent, of talking, of weeping, of seeing how much he is moved by noble ideas; you will get better results if you just watch him laugh. If he laughs well, he's a good man. - Fyodor Dostoevsky