Last night I had a huge laugh at well, me. Adam Bello, the County Executive of Monroe County in New York State had requested citizens of Monroe County go outside at 7pm to cheer and applaud our hero healthcare workers during the #COVID19 pandemic. I texted neighbors, family, and friends in Monroe County to share the information. Having watched the videos of people all around the world cheering for the healthcare workers when 7pm rolled around I went outside to be part of the magic.
I was the only one outside. Me and only me. The only one. Me.
I took stock for a moment. The what to do was easy, even though it felt awkward. I was going to cheer loud and proud for the healthcare workers so I cheered away. Clapping and yelling “thank you healthcare workers”. As I cheered, I was #laughing at myself. My dogs were looking at me from the windows with such a perplexed look of confusion on their faces. I cheered louder and laughed at myself all the more. My mental picture of my cheering and clapping my hands all by myself made me smile, and then laugh. After awhile two neighbors came out to cheer with me.
When I went inside two things stood out for me. One is I did something I felt was important to do, even though no one else was doing it. My choice to go out and applaud for healthcare workers regardless of anyone else felt great! The second is that it felt so good to laugh. Earlier in the day I had watched on twitter a person demonstrating how to use a jock strap to make a face mask and I laughed away.
It feels so good to laugh. To lose myself in moments of time that are silly, joyful, happy.
All of us are in the midst of a mind blowing, stressful, anxiety producing, uncertain pandemic. One of the most powerful actions we can take for ourselves is to feel joy, happiness, laughter.
Laughter is essential to our wellbeing.
There is science behind the benefits of laughter. According to an article by HelpGuide in February 2020 “Laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.”
Here is the list of what laughing does for you according to the Mayo Clinic:
Relaxes your body, improves your immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, activates your stress response, relaxes you, soothe tension, increases personal satisfaction, improves your mood, relieves pain.
“When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered.” per the Mayo Clinic.
After I laugh, well after everyone laughs, we have more personal energy, feel more relaxed. There is a sense of unity when we laugh with someone. Laughing at something you experienced independently is funny. I have had times where I continue to laugh about something I experienced earlier in the day throughout the day because it was so funny.
There are NO negative side affects to laughing, only good ones😊
Even when life is dark, sad, stressful, hard it is not only ok to laugh, it is good to laugh. Laughter can help things not be so dark, not so sad, not so stressful and not so hard. Laugh at yourself, laugh with others, create some funny jokes or pranks. The only type is laughter that is not ok is mean spirited laughter at the expense of others.
Knock Knock
Knock Knock Who
Dismay
Dismay Who
Dismay be a bad joke, but I think it’s funny🤣
Wonderful, remarkable humans you are such a valuable resource in this world. You matter. It is ok to laugh and it is essential to laugh. Only good things come from laughing at something funny so laugh away. Your body, spirit, and soul will thank you!
May your laugher be with you💜
