“He Who Would Travel Happily, Must Travel Light.”– Antoine de St. Exupery
Did you know that the average child laughs 300 times a day and the average adult laughs a mere 12?
I’ve done some research on this to back my facts and it’s true! We know that laughter is the best medicine. In fact, doctors tell us that we need a few good belly laughs every day to enjoy optimal health.
The simple act of throwing your head back and roaring at any kind of humor has multiple benefits both mentally and physically. Laughter actually increases you immune system, making you stronger and better able to fight off disease. And all that humor has you breathing in more oxygen, which revs up and refreshes your entire body. Laughing has been proven to lower blood pressure, burn calories and exercises almost the entire body, which explains why we get sore sides after a good laugh. In addition, laughter lowers stress hormone levels, keeping us calmer.
So, what happened to us as we grew up? Perhaps the seriousness of life has caught up to us or perhaps we’ve chosen to take ourselves too seriously. I’ve had some adults tell me, “It’s not that I don’t want to enjoy my life, I’ve just forgotten how.” Isn’t that sad? We ask ourselves, “Is it really okay to be child-like again, and to find the enchantment that we once knew so naturally? I think “yes”; In fact, we must. For our own health and well-being, yes.
Depression and anxiety are almost non-existent in people who have a great sense of humor and who are able to laugh at themselves. These people automatically see the world in a different light, simply because of their sense of humor.
Coaching Tip: find something to laugh about
Everything seems clearer after a good laugh. Our sense of wellbeing returns instantly. It’s okay if you have to start with a joke book or comedy movie or calling a friend who makes you laugh.
Coaching Action: For this month, build lightheartedness & laughter into your plan. Add things into your life that make you laugh and feel light.
Coaching Question: In closing, my question is, can you laugh at yourself?
If not, drop the intensity for just a little while today. Instead, see the humor all around you. You know that humor can change your mood instantly! So practice it. It’s very hard to stay angry when something strikes you as funny. Yes, laugh today. Look for a reason, and you’ll find a reason.
