Improving your Health Through Humor?

Could it be true that laughter is the best medicine? In today’s scary world, a little humor can go a long way toward alleviating stress and putting life in perspective. From reducing stress to a sense of purpose, humor can improve health in a myriad of ways. As such, celebrate National Humor Month this April and treat yourself to a great big laugh or two.

So, is laughter really the best medicine? It can seem difficult to find things to laugh about in the times that we all live in today. If you live with mobility issues, there may be times when humor can lighten an awkward situation or make you feel better when things look bleak. Sometimes a laugh can make everything seem slightly better- who doesn’t want that? National Humor Month is April; observe this funny day with a good laugh. What can it hurt?

Can you improve your health through humor?

Laughter as Medicine

We have all heard this adage about laughter; but is it truly medicinal? Consider the following advantages of a good, old-fashioned belly laugh:

• A good laugh has the ability to manifest physical and chemical changes in the body. It really can be transformative.
• Laughter stimulates bodily organs, improving oxygen intake, and raising the level of feel-good endorphins in the brain.  
• When you laugh out loud, you ignite and then quell your stress response, which results in a calm feeling of euphoria.
• A joke or a laugh can reduce muscle tension and improve circulation throughout the body, including your extremities.
• Laughter is calming and an effective way to combat some of the physical symptoms of stress.
• Just as negativity is bad for your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to illness and disease, laughter and positivity are good for immunity and warding off illness.
• Humor and laughter can help the body produce natural feel-good chemicals, which can help with chronic pain.
• Laughter helps us to connect and relate to others, particularly in grim or dark circumstances and situations. Humor can bridge gaps between people.
• Feeling down? Laugh it off; a good laugh can alleviate anxious feelings and helps battle chronic depression.

Note the short and long term effects of laughter. It offers benefits across the lifespan!   

Laugh More

So, now your goal is to laugh more. But how to adopt a sense of humor when life can get us down? Put a little effort and work into finding humor in everyday situations and scenarios. Consider the following tips to help heal through humor:

• Keep a stash of things that bring a smile to your face, whether it is funny pictures, comics, cards, or other trinkets.
• Visit a comedy club for a laugh.
• Check out online sites that focus on jokes and humor; add a few new ones to your arsenal.  
• Give that funny friend from college an overdue phone call.
• While it isn’t always easy to find humor in our own circumstances, try to poke a little fun at yourself from time to time. It can ease tension and helps you get a little practice in laughing.
• Visit a library and check out a joke book.
• Be cognizant that sometimes, things simply aren’t funny. Be empathetic and kind, first and foremost.

While many would argue that this is a time to be serious, healthcare professionals would assert otherwise. Life is what you make of it; why not put a smile on your face and hope for the best. If a good laugh has these undeniable health benefits, why not give it a go? The only thing you have to lose is a little laughter…

National Humor Month

April is National Humor Month- what better time to embrace humor and enjoy a good laugh? This national observance was originally founded by a humorist in 1976 simply to bring attention to the therapeutic benefits of humor and joy. This founder asserted that there are fundamentals to mental health and holistic wellbeing- and humor is one of them. The physical changes in the body that occur when laughing are amazing and the results are documented; try it and see how it changes the way that you feel each and every day. There is nothing to lose- but a whole lot to gain!

While humor can improve overall health and wellbeing, Mobility issues are no laughing matter. It can degrade the quality of life to have accessibility limited- especially in the home living environment. Visit or consult with Pacific Mobility to find solutions to access issues and improve the overall quality of life. Their team of compassionate professionals strive to provide the best equipment and aids for the client’s distinct needs; let them make life a lot easier for you. Call or visit today.