Choose to see all the good laughing can bring
We have all heard that laughter is the best medicine, but do we really recognize and see the good that laughter brings? Laughter is key to healthy living. It is powerful and improves our lives in so many ways. To laugh more yourself or even hear and observe laughter from people around you is a great way to choose to see good in your life.
Observing laughter
The other day I was with my daughter and her friends at a local indoor rock climbing facility. Sometimes I join in and rock climb along with them, but on this day I was going along simply as the transportation and chaperone. Consequently, I knew I would be spending some quality time by myself sitting on a bench scrolling through my phone. That was fun for about the first 30 minutes but then I was starting to get bored.
Soon my mind wandered to worrying, planning tasks in my mind, imagining scenarios and “what ifs” when all of a sudden I heard the most uproarious and contagious laughter! I looked to my right and saw two younger girls in a bout of uninhibited giggles. I was smiling before I even looked over to find them. Just hearing that kind of laughter changed my attention and my perspective. I was transfixed. Just watching these two girls laugh so hard that they were close to tears and catching their breath filled me with joy. It’s hard to be anything but happy inside when you hear laughter like that!
Laughter is good for your health
Having a good laugh is more than just a good time. Laughter is key to healthy living because of its physical and mental health benefits. The Mayo Clinic reports that laughter has both long and short-term benefits including stress release, improved immune system, pain relief and muscle relaxation. Studies have shown that laughter is also good for your mental health because it can increase personal satisfaction, improve mood and strengthen relationships. In addition, laughter can be a great positive distraction for our minds. You can read more about the good of positive distractions here.
Share the good that laughter brings
They say laughter is contagious and I believe that to be true. Hearing laughter and giggles from someone else triggers something inside of us that is hard to resist. Why do so many people watch giggling baby videos on the internet and social media? We watch them, tag them, pass them along and record them. Why was the network show, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” such a hit? All because we want to feel that joy that bubbles up inside when we laugh. We are all looking to find happiness.
Laughter is a free, and easy thing to share. Take notice and enjoy the sounds of laughter around you. Spend time looking at or reading something funny and pass it along. Most of all, count it as a blessing when you hear laughter because it can bring joy to an ordinary day.
Challenge for this week:
Share a funny video or story just to make someone laugh.