Why Laughter Is The Best Medicine

If you are looking for a powerful way to combat depression and negativity, it has got to be humor – simply because it is the most fun way to do it. For a start, you might try laughing at life, specifically at the most frustrating bits. You will suddenly realize how ridiculous all that unnecessary worry is. In fact, you will be left over with just the vital bits that you can actually deal with.

It has been scientifically proved that several illnesses can be cured if you laugh a lot. Okay – if you are like me, then you will want to know how humor can specifically heal our mind, body and spirit. Here goes:

Humor fights fear
There are moments in life, when you feel scared to death. I know I have. Years ago, when I attended the first sales conference and was awaiting my turn to make my presentation, I remember I felt a strange fear of forgetting everything once I got to the display board especially because the guys before me did such a great job. Then I suddenly remembered something I had read somewhere about someone at a boring board meeting who was bored to death. She felt so drowsy, just to keep herself awake, she imagined the board members in swimsuits and bikinis and found she couldn’t keep from smiling after that. Well, I did the same – and I must say it was quite a ridiculous sight with some of the people. It certainly put a permanent smile on my face – and I found that humor had wiped out that fear. Silly way to do it – but whatever works for you!

The thing about humor is – it can put things in a different perspective, specially if you stand apart from the scene and look at it from the outside. You have to distance your reaction from the situation. It works.

Humor can be comforting
According to Charlie Chaplin “To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it.” Oddly, some of the greatest comedians out there like Robin Williams, Art Buchwald ( love him! ) have all gone through tough times. Humor comforts because it helps you get through difficult times.

Humor can be relaxing
Laughter is the best medicine – it is. It relieves stress and gets rid of many psychosomatic diseases. Makes sense why we have all those laughter clubs everywhere these days.

Humor relieves pain
Humor is being used to help patients recover from illnesses and the pain that goes with it. Watching funny videos, sharing jokes – are all holistic ways to heal. Studies show that those who enjoyed humor felt less pain thanthose who don’t.

Humor strengthens our immune system
Looking at the bright side helps. Positive thinking can help you heal sooner from a temporary health problem. Research proves that the hormones that help us beat depression and boosts immunity increase when exposed to humor. Laughter enhances
the production of these hormones, helping us fight viruses.

Humor gets rid of stress
Humor and laughter can reduce the levels of stress hormones in our body.

Humor makes you happy
Laughter can be quite infectious. Just look at a baby chuckling, can you help responding? Of course you can’t.

Humor makes you optimistic
Appreciate everything you have – and you will find that you no longer fear fear. The change in perspective can make all the difference, resulting in self-healing.

Humor helps you communicate
If you can laugh together, there can hardly be any fights. Ask a married couple! Or rather, as me! Most situations at home are dissolved simply because we tend to end up guffawing over what we said because when we look at it a couple of minutes later, it sounds so stupid!

It makes complete sense to laugh – so laugh your way to happiness and good health!

As G K Chesterton said – “Angels Can Fly because they take themselves lightly.” There is truth there.