Laughter Is the Best Medicine

Why do they say “laughter is the best medicine?” What does this mean? Does laughter cure illness? Having diagnosed with a chronic illness such as multiple sclerosis can turn the world upside down. It can turn the day to night in just a second. One minute, you’re healthy; one minute you’re mortal. Laughter is good medicine that can raise your endorphins, the feel-good neurochemicals in the body.” Says Judith Orloff MD, psychiatrist and author.

source: allveganfoods.com

It must be terrifying to learn that you or someone you care for have a chronic illness. It certainly is horrible news, and who could ever find the silver lining to that? Staying positive is somewhat impossible, especially at first. It takes time before this kind of information is processed in our minds and before we can move forward.

 

How do you manage to laugh or even smile when you find out you are chronically ill?

 

Smile Often

Smile as often as you can. It promotes positive energy and gives the sense of happiness to you and those around you. A smile is like laughter without the sound, but it is the start of it, so keep smiling, and you will subconsciously have a brighter mood.

 

Relax Your Mind

Clear your mind from any negative thoughts, stop worrying, and try relaxing your mind. Be silly, and don’t be afraid to look funny. Happy people care less about how they look or sound when they laugh. Just laugh your heart out. Deborah Khoshaba Psy.D. says “The body starts to turn off arousing nerve chemicals, like adrenaline and stops dumping fatty acids and sugar into the bloodstream for brain, muscle, and motor energy.  Also, sodium leaves the inside of the body’s cells.”

 

Be With People Who Make You Happy

Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and happy. These are the people who find humor in everything. They don’t have time to fret over things that don’t matter, and there’s never a dull moment whenever you’re with them.

source: rnblog.rockwellnutrition.com

 

Think of Happy Thoughts

Just think of happy things,” said Peter Pan. Think of funny and happy moments in your life. Sometimes, when you think of something funny, you just can’t help but laugh. This is what the quote is all about. Believe in what you can do, and just do it. “Happiness helps people be more competent and productive, and that helps make their country great,” says William R. Klemm Ph.D.

 

Watch a Funny Movie

There are some funny movies and TV shows that aim to make us laugh. People who make these movies understand the importance of laughter in our overall wellness. We sympathize with people from the movies, and we adopt their emotions thus movies make us laugh with jokes and funny moments.

 

Try Laughter Yoga

Laughter yoga is a form of physical exercise which aims to help people to learn how to laugh without reasons. It may sound crazy, but people who practice laughter yoga believe that our body knows how to laugh even without the mind telling it to do so. They practice laughing in a manner that it will be like a normal action that it doesn’t have to be triggered externally or through the mind.

Laughter is the best medicine, especially when you are in pain. Chronically ill patients deal with a lot of pain physically, emotionally and mentally. Aside from laughter is scientifically proven to release endorphins which act as the brain’s painkillers, laughter simply gives a sense of happiness and hope during painful and hopeless times, and the best thing about laughter is you will never overdose.