When is the last time you had a really good laugh? I'm not talking about a little chuckle here or there but a real deep hearty laugh... A good laugh is great for your soul. Voltaire said, "The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease." This may not be your doctor's primary philosophy but it certainly can be your own.

You don't feel like laughing. It seems that now isn't a very laughable type of time for our nation. We are experiencing the worst economy in decades. People are losing their jobs and their homes. Families are being tested as stress levels are at an all time high. Feel like laughing? Probably not. Because of the stress in your life, you don't feel like laughing--that's natural. However, what's also natural is your lack of laughter causes you to maintain higher levels of stress-related hormones (specifically, ephinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and the growth hormone) and a potentially weakened immune system*. In fact, a recent study** has shown that even the anticipation of laughter can decrease these hormones.  Those conditions naturally lead to living at a greater risk of disease and further elevating the lack of desire towards laughter. The cycle continues.

You don't feel like you should laugh. Given the seriousness of certain challenges in your life (financial struggles, family, health, etc.), you feel that enjoying a laugh would automatically imply that you are not taking your personal challenges seriously. Let it be clear that regardless of what anyone else may think, allowing yourself the gift of laughter during a personal storm is perfectly acceptable. It is ridiculous to suggest that unless you are trudging through life with a consistent somber attitude then you must not care about your challenges. The reality is maintaining a sense of humor during challenges is not only acceptable but it's helpful. As the saying goes, "He who laughs, lasts." Keeping a sense of humor going can keep you going.

You don't feel like you deserve to laugh. This is the worst condition of all. You are feeling unworthy of the enjoyment of laughter. You have made some mistakes and created some challenges in your life (and perhaps in the lives of others). Consequently, as self-punishment, you have put yourself on happiness restriction. Good for you...that will teach you! No more good feelings for you because you are a bad person. The reality is that is not a healthy philosophy for you or anyone connected with you. Taking responsibility to correct mistakes, seeking forgiveness and moving into the future with greater wisdom from your lessons is a much healthier response to your past errors than simply a happiness restriction. Would you want your children not to laugh anymore because they made past mistakes? Of course not. And, God feels the same way about his children (You).

Seek out things to put laughter into your daily routine. Here's a jump start today with a very funny clip of David Letterman.



*Article: Cut Stress by Anticipating Laughter
**Article: Humor and Health