The Power of Laughter

Laughter anyone? Do I hear a thunderous yes? I certainly hope so. We need laughter in our lives. I've often observed this to be so, but it feels particularly relevant now. No doubt there is a lot going on around us, or even in our own lives, which doesn't specifically lend itself to laughter. I'm not suggesting that all the hard stuff we're dealing with should not be acknowledged and dealt with. The difficult situations have to be recognized; decisions need to be made and action taken. But in the midst of "all the hard stuff", we need to keep our sanity and fashion a way to embrace our lives and find some pleasure in it. Laughter can be that vehicle.

Lighten Up and Laugh

We are such a serious culture. Of course there are some exceptions, but when I inventory the people around me on the subway, at the airport or walking down the street, people are intent. Intent on getting where they are going and checking items off of their "to do" lists. I'm always delighted when I see someone smiling as they go about their day or see a couple or a group of people laughing up a storm. Actually, I sometimes wonder what they are laughing about. I want to be part of the joyfest.

As For Those Happy People......

When I am happy my tendency to laugh increases. Out of curiosity I did some research on where happy people live. According to research done by professor Ruut Veenhoven, from Erasmus University, who runs the World Database of Happiness, the ten happiest countries (10^th place to 1rst place) are, Luxembourg, Guatemala, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Finland, Iceland, Austria, Switzerland and (drum roll please) Denmark.  Happiness is subjective and happiness for one person may not be identical for another, so the researchers took several variables under consideration and identified happiness measures to come up with an index for rating. One of the questions is, How Happy Are You?, and our attitudes, our decision to be happy and find laughter in our lives is a choice. Guatemala is on the list and that county is prone to devastating natural disasters.   Denmark, as a Nordic welfare state offers most of its services free to the citizens and as a result citizens pay 72% of their money to the government (this is for the highest income tax bracket), yet this country is on the list. Switzerland may be happy because they produce so much chocolate. Though there may be collective reasons for happiness, (community survival, helping others, eating delicious chocolate), we can also make individual decisions to be happy, which is an entrée for laughter. The United States, by the way, rated number 17^th on the happiness scale.

Good for Your Health - Good for Your Life

Studies now show that laughter is good for your health. It's been known to lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones. When you are laughing, you're in a relaxed state of mind. I find that when I'm in that place, I'm upbeat and positive. I'm creative and able to be focused and productive. And I laugh at myself--all the time. It's the best way to "lighten up.'

Out with the Old and In with the New