It has been a tough 365+ days as we still find our “normal” lives not quite back to normal. I long for the days when I can get together with friends and enjoy the kind of laughs that start in your belly, rise up through your throat, and end in tears flowing freely down your cheeks.
In the meantime, I think a replay of Mary Poppins is in order… I can’t help but laugh during the scene where they all end up on the ceiling singing, “I love to laugh.”
Laughter is More than Splitting a Side
Laughter is actually good for you physically and emotionally. When you laugh out loud (LOL!), you make connections to others in the room. A room that may have felt tense suddenly feels lighter and more positive. That’s because stress hormones like cortisol are replaced by more joyful hormones like endorphins.
Endorphins help you feel better emotionally and physically. They promote a sense of well-being and decrease physical pain too. Endorphins make you feel euphoric or on a natural high. Who doesn’t need a release of endorphins these days?
Laughter even burns calories. Your face, chest, shoulders, stomach, and diaphragm are jogged into action when you belt out a hearty chuckle. Then, once you’re done with that side-splitting moment of laughter, you might notice your whole body relaxes. Matter of fact, you might feel relaxed for up to 45 minutes after the giggles.
A Chuckle a Day, Especially on National Let’s Laugh Day!
Work laughter into your daily routine, just like eating healthy and exercising. And be sure to celebrate with a few chuckles on Friday, National Let’s Laugh Day!
● Laugh at yourself! We all do embarrassing things; laugh it off. It’s OK.
● Hang out with the kids. Children love to laugh, and they laugh at some of the littlest things. If you don’t have kids nearby, go to youtube and search for “laughing babies.”
● Subscribe to a “joke-a-day” service. Check out Reader’s Digest, or here’s a kids’ podcast.
For more information about laughter, visit:
https://caregiver.com/articles/laughter-is-the-best-medicine/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
https://health4u.msu.edu/articles/2019-laughter-is-the-best-medicine