50+ Lifestyles

A Laugh a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“ The human race has one really effective weapon… laughter!”

Mark Twain

As I write this article on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, the weather outside is gloomy with a bone chilling temp of 36 degrees (at least for those of us who have spent the last 60+ days wrapped in Florida’s warmth). I can’t help but think about how fickle the Midwest weather is in March and April. Yesterday I was raking leaves in my garden clad only in a long sleeve t-shirt, and tomorrow the weatherman forecasts possible snowflakes. Although the origin of April Fools Day is a bit ambiguous, one such explanation might be that the unpredictable weather patterns are one big practical joke being played on us by none other than Mother Nature herself!

In addition to the less than perfect temps, we have taxes due mid-month, making April one of the most stressful months of the year.

Seeing a need for something to lift our spirits, Larry Wilde, comedian and best-selling author, declared April as ‘National Humor Month.’ His goal was to heighten public awareness on how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one’s life. Humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is an established notion supported by much scientific research. The curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may be one of the greatest medical discoveries of our time. Many studies have shown that laughter can actually improve our health. It changes us physiologically.

• Laughter reduces stress: When stressed, we produce a hormone called cortisol. Laughter can significantly reduce cortisol levels.
• Laughter can reduce pain: Laughter causes us to produce endorphins which are natural, pain-killing antibodies.
• Laughter strengthens the Immune System: A hearty laugh decrease stress hormones and increases the production of T-cells, immune proteins and infection-fighting antibodies.
• Laughter helps the heart: When we laugh we increase blood flow and the fuction of blood vessels, which can help present cardiovascular problems.
• Laughter relaxes the whole body: One good belly laugh can relieve physical tension and relax your muscles for up to 45 minutes.
• Laughter helps you recharge: By reducing stress levels and increasing your energy, laughter can help you focus and achieve more.

Laughter can also be contagious. By opening yourself up to more humor in your daily life, you may also have a positive effect on those around you. And the great thing about humor is that there is a bottomless supply out there. You don’t need to sign up for anything; it doesn’t cost anything; it is fat-free and you can have as much of it as you like.

In his book, Anatomy of An Illness, author Norman Cousins cited laughter as an effective tool for promoting the healing process. In Cousins’ words, “Laughter is internal jogging.” So next time you are stressed out, unable to relax, or feeling gloomy, you can go work off those frustrations by going for a long and exhausting jog. Or, if you want more immediate results, you can just laugh it off!

In our present day society rifled with negativity, finding things to laugh about might not be as easy as it sounds. Here are some concrete ideas to help you laugh more:

• Watch a good comedy with friends: In cinema, television or theater, there is a good selection of comedy that can introduce frequent laughter in our lives. Laughing is contagious so watching a good comedy with friends is more enjoyable and creates happy memories.
• Approach life from a different angle: The way we deal with everyday problems can be crucial in psychological and physical health. Try to see things from a different angle and focus on seeing the humorous side of things.
• Try to laugh even when there is no real reason. Be silly for no reason. Fake a laugh; it might turn into a real one!

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of three books: The West End Kid, Labor of Love, and Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance.