Are you feeling a little run down these days?  We have all been told “Laughter is the best medicine,” but that may seem more fiction than fact when we are stressed, tired, or bored with our (sometimes) monotonous lives.  Where is the humor in that?!

Well, funnily enough, over the last few decades science has uncovered some of laughter’s superpowers:

  1. Mental Health!  May is Mental Health Month, which means it’s a good time to reflect on our own emotional and spiritual well-being.  Feeling run down is often a result of neglecting our mental health.  Laughter increases positive thinking, helps us think more clearly, and improves our relationships.
  2. Increased blood flow.  While drama and suspense seem to increase tension, humor is relaxing to both the body and mind, and can effectively reduce blood pressure.
  3. Stronger immune system.  Some studies show that having a sense of humor and laughing often can raise our infection-fighting antibodies and reduce our # of sick days.
  4. Better blood sugar levels.  Individuals who eat in a stressful or unpleasant environment have been shown to have a greater increase in blood sugar levels, than people who enjoy their meals in relaxing, or even comedic environment.  Stop eating at your desk and take a lunch break!
  5. Relaxation and Sleep.  There is a strong connection between a good day of fun and laughter, and a good night’s sleep.  Not only is laughter an effective way to reduce stress and unwind, it also induces feelings of euphoria.  In Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness, Cousins (being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis- an extremely painful spine condition) found that TV comedies helped him feel better.  In fact, 10 minutes of laughter allowed him to sleep pain-free for two hours!

I have to agree with the old Irish proverb, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for [almost] anything.”  Much like a toddler, we (as adults) can suffer from a case of the “terrible 2’s” when we are sleep-deprived and unhappy. We start to feel run-down; tired, short-tempered, and often we even contract a bad cold or the flu.

Give your body a boost!  Watch a comedy, take a Zumba or yoga class with your spouse, bake something with your children or grandchildren, pull out your old family videos, play a game, go out with friends, etc.

A little laughter can go a long way.