How many times do you think you laugh a day? Research indicates that adults laugh between 15 and 20 times a day, on average. In contrast, most children laugh much, much more. Most sources say our little ones laugh 100-400 times a day!
Daily laughs for adults can vary from 0 to 89. If you’re a bit low on the laughter spectrum, don’t despair. Humor support is available. Similar to creating good sleep hygiene, it just takes a bit of effort.
Everyone is in awe of the lion-tamer in a cage with half a dozen lions—everyone but a school bus driver.
Hanging around my expressive 4-year-old granddaughter and her 10-month-old jolly brother, has helped to increase my aerobic laughter rate. Currently, everything in her world is prefaced with the words “poopy diapers”. With this type of toilet humor flying around, there’s no way that anyone in her orbit, can keep a straight face. Go ahead and grin–no need to bear it.
Did you know the phrase “grin and bear it” has its roots in the family who invented the concept of “survival of the fittest”? The phrase “grin and bear it” was first used in a published text in 1775 by W. Hickey (I’m chuckling now). About twenty years later, Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles Darwin) penned and cemented this phrase for stoics everywhere.
Perhaps, your own Inner Stoic is reading this and not buying this humor thing. No problemo. Carry on and enjoy your seriousness 24/7.
Is your Inner Stoic still peeking? If so, go ahead and thank this part of you for being such a fierce protector and keeping things in good orderly fashion (think control). The next part is trickier. Ask your Inner Stoic to step aside, just for a little bit.
Yippee! Here we go…away from the over-active mind and into the world of the heart. Don’t overthink laughter. Take that elevator down from your head. That’s it, let the joy and gratitude roll. Allow it to have free reign in your kingdom, at last.
Don’t leave laughter by chance. Be intentional. Make a file of funny videos, movies and jokes. Hang with those precious funny people that help you to feel alive. As the saying goes, “our habits become our habitat”. Find and feel those things that lift your spirit and support your mental and physical being.
Plus, your immune system benefits from humor. Positive thoughts from laughter release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more serious illnesses. Lightening up our mood does boost the number of antibody-producing cells which leads to a stronger immune system.
A good belly laugh stimulates multiple organs including your heart, lungs, muscles and digestion. Overall, laughter can improve your mood and can lessen depression, anxiety and HELP YOU RELAX.
A parting joke: What’s the difference between a therapist and a client?
Answer: Eventually the client gets better.
With love, support and possibly some poopy diapers,
~Marcia
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