This isn’t my best photo (haha, laughing as I type this… literally), yet it’s one of my very favorites – I was trying to take a selfie with my family several visits ago, and we all started laughing. The photo didn’t “turn out” but I love it, because it shows my family how we really are. I have no idea what we were laughing at – probably just trying to get us all to look into the camera, ha ha.

#TRUTH is the first thing I think of when I read this quote by E. E. Cummings. A day without laughter is unfortunate and wasted. Take every opportunity you can to laugh. Laugh with others, laugh with (or at! yourself) or laugh with your dog. Whatever it takes, try to get a good laugh in. Life is so serious, we need to laugh, it’s important, just ask the Mayo Clinic!

Laughing is so important for your health. Just think LAUGHING can cause health benefits… so why don’t we do it more? Because we’re all so busy, so CONNECTED. So in a hurry to get everything on the list done to the point of exhaustion. I think it’s so important to step back and take a breath (or a lap around the block). Guess what? Everything on your list will be there tomorrow… so take a few minutes to get a good laugh in. It will help you be happier and healthier in the long run. The world is getting far too serious – so now is the time – make a cognizant effort to sneak a little happy into your day.

Laughing has both short and long-term health effects. From improving your immune system, relieving pain, making it easier to handle difficult situations, connecting with others, improving your mood, stress, depression, anxiety, self-esteem. My gosh, why aren’t we having a laugh-fest every single night?

Did you know when you start laughing it actually induces physical changes in your body (thank you mayoclinic.org) – the short term bennies: laughter can stimulate your heart, lungs, muscles and increase endorphins that are released in your brain. It can give you that oh-so wonderful relaxed feeling by increasing and decreasing your heart rate/blood pressure and it helps to relieve tension/muscle relaxation (AKA STRESS). Read more about the benefits of laughter via mayoclinic.org.

I remember many (many) years ago we went on a cruise with my parents. One evening they had a comedian, I love comedians. My husband, not so much, he wasn’t as enthusiastic about that performance, well, at least BEFORE it started. It turned out my mom was wailing with laughter throughout, which made pretty much everyone do the same – my husband was right there with my mom, doubled over with laughter. That made my heart sing. His face hurt after that night from all the smiling/laughing. What a blessing that is. I wish I knew the person’s name – he was hysterically funny about everyday things. I’m not big on the raunchy comedians, but the every day comedians, ahhhh, goodness. Does anyone know WHO?

👩‍💻 Until next time…