Have you ever had a moment where you couldn’t stop laughing? Something so silly just struck you as funny and you start to belly laugh with tears coming out of your eyes. In that moment it makes you feel light, happy and positive. Laughter can actually help ease sadness, pain, and change your perspective on stress. Laughing can also soothe away tension and improve your immune system. If you are studying for a test, stressing about an assignment or anxious about a presentation, go find something to laugh about!
Laughing over a silly joke or watching something funny can push the sadness aside and give you hope. If you are lonely or feeling down, turning on a funny YouTube video, movie or show can help distract you from whatever has led you into your sadness as well as help your mood improve through laughing. Adding funny moments to your day will keep the sadness away and the good feelings will start to become more of the “norm”. Laughing is a great medicine for depression. It has actually helped some patients to overcome those feelings of deep sadness and helplessness. When Christopher Reeves (aka Superman) was hospitalized after he fell off a horse and was about to go into surgery, Robin Williams (one of the funniest comics ever and a good friend of Reeves) came into his hospital room and made him laugh. He said at that moment he knew he was going to be okay.
Laughter is contagious as well as infectious. Laughter is a wonderful way to connect to others. You can bond over something funny as well as enjoy the other person’s company. There are so many ways to find laughter with others; watch a funny movie, go to a comedy club, watch a funny show, tell silly jokes with your friends, have a fun game night, or go do something silly. All of these things can bring back the freedom and fun you had when you were younger. It will keep the stress away and any sadness you feel often will dissipate. It is an instant mood lifter!
The only time laughter can be a negative is when it is at the expense of someone else. Laughter should never be used to hurt others. Such a positive and wonderful feeling should be shared and not to make others feel bad about themselves.
So share something funny, do something silly with your friends or watch a funny skit because “if laughter is the best medicine, let’s OD together!”
