Laugh every day...

and be healthier for it

 “Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy.”

I’m sure you are familiar with the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.”  Many studies have shown the scientific benefits of laughter including the release of endorphins, which, in turn, promote relaxation both physically and emotionally.

Years ago I read Anatomy of an Illness: as Perceived by the Patient by Norman Cousins and I was inspired by his ability to help heal himself from a debilitating illness with a variety of unconventional methods including the daily use of laughter.

I thought, how do we incorporate more laughter and joy into our everyday lives?

Just think about it for a minute. Who do you know in your life, either currently or in your past, who has the gift of laughter and who so effortlessly spreads that gift wherever he or she goes?

I am fortunate to have many relatives and friends who can take almost any situation and find joy in it. I love surrounding myself with people who bring out the best in me and I find that those who can laugh make life that much more enjoyable.

And I think we can all agree that laughter makes us feel better. Having a positive outlook on life, no matter the situation, also makes us feel better both physically and emotionally. So common sense would lead us to the conclusion that getting more laughter into our lives is literally a good thing.

I believe the key to having more “fun” in our lives is to make time for it. Think to yourself about what puts a smile on your face. Certain activities, hobbies, places you’ve visited, people you spend time with…then take as many opportunities as you can to do those things and be around those people.

Unfortunately there is a more common sight in today’s world - people looking down at their screens instead of out at the world, and the people around them. The question begs to be asked, “Are we addicted to our devices?”  If the answer for many of us is yes (which studies how shown it is) then how do we learn to use these gadgets more responsibly?

First we need to go back and remember what we used to do with our time before we had smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.  I can remember as a child when summer days were spent outdoors, enjoying the sunshine and participating in a variety of activities. Besides endlessly riding bikes whenever we had the chance we also made outdoor forts, picked berries, had water fights with squirt guns, played basketball or kickball and, maybe most importantly, we used our imaginations.

Winter days were also spent outside, building snow forts, sledding and cross country skiing. There may have been more indoor activities during winter time but they weren’t just solitary ones.

When I stop to think of those days the one thing they all had in common was that our time was spent together.

So getting back to those devices...We could say that social media is the way we “get together” today.  There is some truth to that and I enjoy connecting with others on Facebook as much as anyone.  However, there should be a healthy balance of activities in our daily lives.  Too much of anything is not good. 

Learn to limit your time online. I use a kitchen timer to keep track and when it goes off, I’m off the device. It’s a simple technique but it really works for me.

This week I challenge you to make time for some fun in your life. Take some time to contemplate what that means for you personally. Reach out to those you love and connect with them. Seek out situations where you can meet new people. Do whatever it is that can bring more laughter and more joy into your life.

What do you think?

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Tranquil Moments…

I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here’s this week’s:

Photo by Jennifer Malphy.

This week’s Smile Video

On the Road," Steve Hartman meets an elementary school principal in Port Barre, La., whose road to success started in an unexpected place.

#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos

This week’s TED Talk - Why Having Fun Is the Secret to a Healthier Life

I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:

Have you had your daily dose of fun? It's not just enjoyable, it's also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine Price. She proposes a new definition of fun -- what she calls "true fun" -- and shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playfulness, flow and connection into your everyday life.

Comedy Lift…

I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…

What I am reading…

When I want to laugh out loud, I pick up my copy of Pretty Good Joke Book and it instantly puts a smile on my face. 

The Amazon summary is as follows: “A treasury of hilarity from one of America’s favorite radio shows.

It all started back in 1996, when A Prairie Home Companion fans laughed themselves silly during the first Joke Show. The broadcast was such a hit that it became an almost-annual gag fest. Then fans wanted to read the jokes, share them, and pass them around, and the first Pretty Good Joke Book was born. With 362 new jokes (more or less), the latest edition promises countless giggles, chortles, and guffaws anyone fans of the radio show or not…will enjoy.”

If you love to laugh, this is the book for you!

Children’s Corner - The Day the Crayons Quit

I love this humorous story about a rogue box of crayons. The Day the Crayons Quit is written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Enjoy!

Mind/Body Connections…

Join Amy Kuth, M.A., a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and Patient Educator at Mayo Clinic, for a mini laughter yoga session! Laughter yoga combines playful laughter exercises, deep breathing, and gentle movement to receive the therapeutic benefits of laughter.

Music Moments

Music inspires me in many ways and getting up and moving (dancing) improves my happiness level. I dare you to play this song and NOT dance… Here's Justin Timberlake singing Can’t Stop the Feeling….Enjoy!

Quote of the week

Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….