Choose a computer screensaver that makes you laugh. Frame photos of you and your family or friends having fun. Remember funny things that happen. If something amusing happens or you hear a joke or funny story you really like, write it down or tell it to someone to help you remember it. Many things in life are beyond your control—particularly the behavior of other people. Find your inner child.
Pay attention to children and try to emulate them—after all, they are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing at ordinary things. Deal with stress. One great technique to relieve stress in the moment is to draw upon a favorite memory that always makes you smile—something your kids did, for example, or something funny a friend told you.
Think of it like exercise or breakfast and make a conscious effort to find something each day that makes you laugh.
Set aside 10 to 15 minutes and do something that amuses you. The ability to laugh, play, and have fun not only makes life more enjoyable but also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and think more creatively. People who incorporate humor and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships. Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination.
But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning. Playing with problems seems to come naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they make their problems into a game, giving them a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.
Here are two examples of people who took everyday problems and turned them around through laughter and play:. Roy , a semi-retired businessman, was excited to finally have time to devote to golf, his favorite sport.
But the more he played, the less he enjoyed himself. Although his game had improved dramatically, he got angry with himself over every mistake. Roy wisely realized that his golfing buddies affected his attitude, so he stopped playing with people who took the game too seriously.
When he played with friends who focused more on having fun than on their scores, he was less critical of himself. Now golfing was as enjoyable as Roy had envisioned. He scored better without working harder.
And the brighter outlook he was gaining from his companions and the game spread to other parts of his life. Jane worked at home designing greeting cards, a job she used to love but now felt had become routine. Two little girls who loved to draw and paint lived next door. Eventually, Jane invited the girls over to play with all of her art supplies. At first, she just watched, but in time she joined in. Not only did it end her loneliness and boredom, but it sparked her imagination and helped her artwork flourish.
As laughter, humor, and play become integrated into your life, your creativity will flourish and new opportunities for laughing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily. Laughter takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, and joyful perspective.
This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments. Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled. Cookie Policy. Learn how to harness the powerful benefits of laughter and humor.
Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body. The Benefits of Laughter and Humor Physical health benefits Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease Mental health benefits Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and tension Relieves stress Improves mood Strengthens resilience Social benefits Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding Laughter helps you stay mentally healthy Laughter makes you feel good.
The link between laughter and mental health Laughter stops distressing emotions. How laughing together can strengthen relationships Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. Humor and laughter in relationships allows you to: Be more spontaneous. Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back is pushed aside. Use humor to resolve disagreements and tension in your relationship Laughter is an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing tension when emotions are running high.
How to bring more laughter into your life Laughter is your birthright, a natural part of life that is innate and inborn. Here are some ways to start: Smile. Laughter helps to relieve the physical symptoms of stress. When you laugh, the muscles in your core tense up. This tension temporarily increases your circulation and blood pressure. But then, in the immediate wake of a good chuckle, the tension dissolves.
This leads to your heart rate and blood pressure decreasing, inspiring a feeling of holistic relaxation. Sign up here for The BrainWire Bulletin to get stories like this and much more! On a more microscopic level, laughter releases a flood of endorphins. We also know that laughter decreases the presence of stress hormones, and promotes the function of immune cells and antibodies.
So a good chuckle also provides an extra boost in immune function! And there are cognitive benefits of laughter, too. Shifting into this mindset can help you perceive things as less immediately threatening.
With this more spacious perspective, the brain can realistically consider information that previously was categorized as overwhelming, leading to more rational and productive decision making. When daily life feels heavy, laughter can stop negative emotions in their tracks and replace them with feelings of gratitude, presence, and abundance. A positive attitude is more resilient and adaptive, leading to more constructive problem-solving strategies in the long term.
One of the most profound outcomes of laughing is that it can foster deep social connection. Sharing a moment of joy with another person, especially in the midst of something difficult, is truly unifying. Sharing a joke helps to diffuse tension, and maintain connection with those who matter most. Ultimately, it is important to try to keep a grounded perspective in the midst of what feels like chaos. Provide yourself with some extra buoyancy by maintaining your humor and prioritizing a little bit of laughter.
Your email address will not be published. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Stress management. Products and services. Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Lower stress: How does it affect the body? American Heart Association. Accessed March 30, Create joy and satisfaction. Mental Health America. Savage BM, et al. Humor, laughter, learning, and health!
A brief review. Advances in Physiology Education. Yim J.
0コメント