He Who Laughs, Lasts

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." -  Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Sometimes it feels difficult to laugh and have fun when there are so many challenging things around us. It feels even more complicated when you are around friends and loved ones who may be going through difficult times. But laughter is a gift that can help us and others through difficult times. We shouldn't feel ashamed or bad for trying to lift the mood or lighten the burden. Laughing may not solve our problems, but it may help us cope with them better. Always laugh when you can. It is cheap and potent medicine. A good laugh heals a lot of hurts. He who laughs lasts.

Did you know laughter can improve your health? I can always use a good laugh. As children, we laughed a lot, but life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent as an adult. 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 significant 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 physical pains. 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.  

So, work to improve your sense of humor. Humor can be learned and induced. 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)

Crack yourself up. Learn to laugh at yourself. 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

"Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh." - George Bernard Shaw