There is nothing like waiting for a storm to pass to give us time to reflect. As life deals its blows and twists and turns, it is helpful to just take the time to think, to be mindful, and to turn inward. Along these lines, the act of taking a long look in the mirror can be inviting and can also be a little intimidating. Yet, it can be fascinating to look into your own eyes and feel what you see and see what you feel.
In a different vein, one of the things that has been helpful in our lives lately has been the use of humor. It has smoothed out some hard times and eased the transition from pain to understanding. We have found that just letting ourselves laugh is a healthy exercise. Laughter is a mood changer, it reduces stress, and can help to reduce tension. It can relieve pain, improve mood, and can decrease depression and anxiety. It is good for relationships, is a shared bond, and can make people feel safer together.
There is a long list of scientific benefits of laughter and humor. It can alter our response to stressful events, provide us with a new perspective, and can reframe a problem. Physically, a hearty laugh stimulates circulation, relaxes muscles, and reduces blood pressure. It can decrease the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. It is well known that high levels of cortisol are shown to be related to weight gain and memory loss. Laughter can also improve our immune systems and increase our resilience.
The medical and science communities believe that what makes us laugh probably comes from the frontal lobe of our brains with the help of the limbic system. One study showed that 10-15 minutes of laughter can burn up to 10-40 calories each day. A good laugh causes 15 facial muscles to contract. A hulking laugh can feel like a good workout as tensions are reduced and those warm and fuzzy chemicals called endorphins are released into your brain. Overall, as we laugh, we strengthen our immune system and increase antibodies and cells that fight off diseases. Even regular hearty laughter can benefit our heart and is said that it should be a part of every heart disease prevention program. The big news is that the ability to laugh is a gift for just being human!
So, today’s tip is to spend time with friends who make you laugh and are fun people. Find laughable moments and help decrease the tension of difficult situations. No matter what the storm may be, as the weather or winds of change blow, remember when you can to laugh – for it may be your best medicine. It is contagious, so pass it on. No vaccine required. The next time you see one of those drug ads on TV for anxiety or depression, just laugh at it. Who needs a pill!
Laugh until you cry, cry until you laugh. This is the medicine for the heart and soul.
