There are two things that can shift my mood in an instant. One is music and the other is LAUGHTER!
How many of you have ever been in the middle of an argument (or debate) as I sometimes like to call them. You’re making points, getting lively and the ego is puffed…. then bam, the other person throws you off by making you laugh? I find it almost impossible to stay in a feisty mood when someone uses good humor to make me giggle.
Now, I’ll admit, it could just take you accidently walking into a door to get me to chuckle. Slapstick “Jack Tripper” style has always been my weak spot. No matter how hard I fight it, the urge to laugh or smile is to powerful!
Or how many of you have ever caught the laughter virus from the belly laugh of a baby? It’s like yawning! No matter how hard you try to resist it, laughter is contagious.
Good news guys!! Laughter is good for you! Ever hear the saying; “a laugh a day keeps the doctor away”? That’s actually not so far from the truth. According to some studies there are many benefits from a good laugh.
So how can we get more of this awesomeness??? Here are a few helpful methods to seeing the lighter side of life.
Questions you can use when you find yourself overwhelmed with an issue or taking yourself or a situation to seriously:
Now, I’m not saying that life is one big comedy show. Obviously, there are times when this method would be highly inappropriate and you should be able to discern between them.
At the end of the day... It’s your life, it’s your ride! Try and lighten up, be playful, live with laughter in your heart and enjoy the moments!
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter” ~ E.E. Cummings
How many of you have ever been in the middle of an argument (or debate) as I sometimes like to call them. You’re making points, getting lively and the ego is puffed…. then bam, the other person throws you off by making you laugh? I find it almost impossible to stay in a feisty mood when someone uses good humor to make me giggle.
Now, I’ll admit, it could just take you accidently walking into a door to get me to chuckle. Slapstick “Jack Tripper” style has always been my weak spot. No matter how hard I fight it, the urge to laugh or smile is to powerful!
Or how many of you have ever caught the laughter virus from the belly laugh of a baby? It’s like yawning! No matter how hard you try to resist it, laughter is contagious.
Good news guys!! Laughter is good for you! Ever hear the saying; “a laugh a day keeps the doctor away”? That’s actually not so far from the truth. According to some studies there are many benefits from a good laugh.
- Physical health benefits: Boost immunity and circulation, lowers stress hormones, decreases pain by releasing endorphins (natural pain killer), relaxes your muscles, and balances blood pressure
- Mental health benefits: Laughter adds joy and liveliness to ones life, helps you feel more vibrant, eases anxiety and fear, relieves stress, improves mood and sleep, boosts creativity and mental functions
- Social benefits: Strengthens relationships, attracts others to you, enhances teamwork, helps reduce conflict, and promotes group bonding.
So how can we get more of this awesomeness??? Here are a few helpful methods to seeing the lighter side of life.
- One key characteristic that helps us to laugh more is not taking ourselves too seriously. Allow yourself the freedom to act silly, be playful and laugh at yourself sometimes.
- Keeping things in perspective is helpful. You can control YOU and that’s it.
- Try laughing at situations rather than complaining. Looking for the humor in a tough situation will help improve your mood and may also reveal a better solution to the problem at hand.
- Deal with your stress folks. Holding it in solves nothing and does more harm then anything else… Communication is key! If you don’t say it, nobody knows. If nobody knows, it doesn’t get resolved.
- Surround yourself with reminders to LIGHTEN UP! Whatever that looks like to you. Put a funny picture on your phone, or a song that makes you smile, a picture of your pet acting silly or even a baby laughing! If all that fails…. go sit someplace and watch kids play. The youth are masters at entertaining themselves, laughing and having fun. You may even find yourself joining in.
Questions you can use when you find yourself overwhelmed with an issue or taking yourself or a situation to seriously:
- Is it really worth getting upset over?
- Is it worth upsetting others?
- Is it that important?
- Is it really that bad?
- Is the situation really your problem?
- What are the facts?
- Will getting upset change the outcome or make it better?
Now, I’m not saying that life is one big comedy show. Obviously, there are times when this method would be highly inappropriate and you should be able to discern between them.
At the end of the day... It’s your life, it’s your ride! Try and lighten up, be playful, live with laughter in your heart and enjoy the moments!
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter” ~ E.E. Cummings
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