Friday Review: Laughter
We could all benefit from more laughter these days. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“A good laugh recharges your battery.”
“A person who belly laughs doesn’t bellyache.”
Tag Archives: laughter
“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, If I did not laugh I should die.”
“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, If I did not laugh I should die.”
—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln, February 1865. Alexander Gardner/Library of Congress
Honest Abe, The Rail-Splitter, and The Great Emancipator were three nicknames given to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
He is best known for his efforts to preserve the Union during the Civil War, and brought about the emancipation of enslaved people.
Unknown to many, Lincoln fought clinical depression all of his life, and if he were alive today, his condition would most likely be treated as a “character issue” and a finite political liability. Many believe that his own internal battle with many personal and political strains gave him the extraordinary character and will to accomplish all that he did.
EXERCISE:
Where and how does laughter and a sense of humor help you navigate your own fearful strains and rough seas of life?
How, like Lincoln, can you bring more of this essential resource into your own life, to help you achieve your own fullest potential?
“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body…”
“Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.”
—Grenville Kleiser, 20th Century Professor at Yale University
Image from Unsplash by Gemma Chua-Tran
To what degree do you feel the need for healing? What stresses and strains have been put on you, your family, and your world this past year?
What tonics and remedies have you tried to reduce the pain and lighten your burdens?
While we continue to try various elixirs and await the day we’ve all received COVID vaccines, how can you add a booster shot of good humor and daily chuckles to your various communities?
EXERCISE:
Please let me know how this strategy works for you!
“A good laugh recharges your battery.”
“A good laugh recharges your battery.”
—Jennifer E. Garza, author of the book by the same title
Image from Unsplash by Omar Lopez
Take a close look at the state of the world. Begin by zooming out for a big-picture view, then zoom in to your own communities, family, and lastly, to yourself. Explore the numbers factors that have and are depleting your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energies.
Take another look at how and in what ways you renew and recharge yourself to take on each new day.
How have you included adequate rest, proper nutrition, daily exercise, hobbies, time with family and friends, and mindfulness efforts into your days?
Where and to what extent have you intentionally brought greater humor and laughter to recharge and reboot your world?
Recently, I have been asking my digital assistant to tell me a joke. Although the jokes are often corny, I do find a few more chuckles that boost my mood and raise the corners of my mouth.
EXERCISE:
Please reply to this post with a few laughter-inducing activities that recharge your batteries.
FRIDAY REVIEW: LAUGHTER
FRIDAY REVIEW: LAUGHTER
We could all benefit from more laughter these days. Here are a few laughter-related posts you may have missed.
“A person who belly laughs doesn’t bellyache.”
“Laughter is an instant vacation.”
Laughter is the sun
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
—Victor Hugo, 19th Century French poet/novelist
Image from Unsplash by Brenda Godinez
This time of year, many people – particularly those in their retirement years – head south to sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. These “snow birds” are somewhat reborn and experience greater youthful vitality when they head off to winter camp.
Many of us, including myself, who are still working and live in a climate that gets a full dose of winter, can feel a bit down at times and long for an early spring.
EXERCISE:
How might you bring truckloads of laughter – instead of road salt – to your days to drive away the winter blues and brighten your worlds?
A light heart lives long
“A light heart lives long.”
—Irish Gaelic Proverb
Image from Flickr by Patrick
Did you know that workplace stress has been proven to increase the risk of heart attacks and shorten your life span? I am sure you could list five or ten other factors that make the impact even worse!
Listed below are are some lighthearted or heart-related activities, proven effective to add both years to your life and life to your years.
- Laughter: just 15 minutes of laughing at a funny video can improve blood flow to your heart by 50%, reduce blood clot formation, cholesterol deposition, and inflammation.
- Optimism, meditation, and other mindfulness efforts help us view the world through a more hopeful and lighthearted lens.
- A short nap or frequent breaks in your day to recharge have been shown to reduce coronary mortality by 37%.
- Social engagements which include family, faith, and other forms of community involvement help us lighten our burdens, share more joy, and fill our hearts.
EXERCISE:
Explore at least one of the strategies above to brighten and lengthen your days and let me know what happens.
Consider replying to this post with some of your own lighthearted strategies to live a longer, more fulfilling life.
A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men
“A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”
⏤Roald Dahl, 20th Century British Novelist
image from Deism
When you think of the word “genius,” who is the first person to come to mind? If you are like many, you likely selected Albert Einstein.
A theory he postulated 100 years ago regarding gravitational waves was recently proven correct by the very best of today’s top scientists.
Unknown to many is the fact that Einstein often exhibited a lighthearted, playful, and humorous disposition. He must have believed that all work and no play would make Albert a dull person indeed!
Based on his rock star image at the time, he was often invited to participate in many gatherings and social events, to the delight of those he accompanied.
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom would a bit more fun, playfulness, and good old-fashioned nonsense be just the ticket for you to have a more fully satisfying life?
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween!
Image from www.theodysseyonline.com
October 31 marks the ancient Celtic Holiday of Halloween, which later became All Soul’s Day in the Roman Catholic tradition.
For us it marks the final turn from summer to deep autumn, when pumpkins are ripe, trees are colorful, and some folks are full of mischief.
EXERCISE:
Consider taking on a new goal that scares you just a bit.
Belly laughs not Bellyaches
“A person who belly laughs doesn’t bellyache.”
-Susan Thorman, English Teacher
Image from Flickr by ampshot
Most of us have heard the adage about laughter being “the best medicine.” With a bit of research, I discovered that a good belly laugh provides physical, mental, and even social benefits, including:
| enhanced immunity | reduce stress | decreased pain |
| reduced heart disease | muscle relaxation | reduced fear & anxiety |
| strengthens relationships | improved mood | easier bounce-back from setbacks |
| added joy and zest for life | enhances cooperation & teamwork | reduces and diffuses conflicts |
| promotes bonding & sense of community |
EXERCISE:
What strategies and tactics can you add to your world to dramatically increase the quality and quantity of belly laughs? If you make this a habit, I’ll bet there will be very little room for belly aching!