Lighten up! Kick up your heels and laugh – it’s actually good for you!
Growing research supports the theory that laughter may have therapeutic value.
Over the years, researchers have conducted studies to explore the effect of laughter on physical wellness. After evaluating participants before and after a humorous event (ie. a comedy video), studies revealed that episodes of laughter helped to reduce pain, decrease stress-related hormones and boost the immune system in participants.
Medical journals have acknowledged that laughter therapy helps to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses. Many hospitals now offer laughter therapy programs as a complementary treatment to illness. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Laughing is good for you!
Here are some ways to get yourself laughing:
Watch a funny movie or TV show
Tell some good jokes and share some funny stories with friends
Go to a comedy club
Host a game night with friends
Play with some children
Do something silly
Sing karaoke
Play a practical joke on someone
Play truth or dare
Read the comics
Seek out funny people
Check out your bookstore’s humor section
Have a pillow fight
Take a Yoga Laughter class
Make time for fun activities like rollerskating and bowling
Tickle someone’s feet
Smile!
Here is a list of some television shows that will make you chuckle or laugh out loud:
America’s Funniest Videos
Arrested Development
Benny Hill
30 Rock
Cheers
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Family Guy
Frasier
Friends
Golden Girls
I Love Lucy
Little Britain
Mash
Modern Family
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Seinfeld
Simpsons
South Park
Taxi
The Cosby Show
The Jeffersons
The Larry Sanders Show
Three Stooges
Three’s Company
Here is a list of some of the best film comedies:
A Fish Called Wanda
Airplane!
Animal House
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Big Daddy
Bridesmaids
Caddyshack
Coming to America
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Dumb and Dumber
Groundhog Day
Half-Baked
Hear No Evil, See No Evil
Meet the Parents
Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Office Space
Old School
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Spaceballs
The Big Lebowski
The Girl Next Door
The Hangover
There’s Something About Mary
Trading Places
Van Wilder
Wedding Crashers
Now go and seek something funny! Just don’t make anyone trip and fall.
