Getting By
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One of the traits I admire about people are those who can make other people laugh. Some of the most memorable times I recall have been with people who have made me laugh. With the many things we are responsible for and worry about on a daily basis, laughter is a great stress buster.
Laughter has short-term and long-term benefits. Mentally, laughter lightens your load and it also has a positive impact physically. Laughter increases your intake of oxygen, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles and increases the endorphins released by your brain. Tension is reduced by laughter because it stimulates circulation and aids muscle relaxation. Physically, positive thoughts can release chemical signals in the brain and other parts of the body to help fight stress, act as natural painkillers and possibly illnesses. Laughter is also shown to help cope with difficult situations, lessen depression and anxiety and make a person feel happier.
Want to make people laugh but feeling your humor skills are anything but funny? Do not give up. Humor can be learned. Just laughing at yourself and making light of your own situations can raise your mood and those around you. Laughing is contagious—try forcing yourself to laugh and see how you feel and how others respond around you. Watch funny movies, read joke books or memorize simple jokes and share them.
There are times which laughter may not be appropriate, especially at the expense of others. Bad or hurtful jokes are no laughing matter.
You have heard it before—“turn that frown upside down.” Did you ever stop to think that saying had validity behind it? Have a laugh and see how it makes you feel.
How could I write this article without making you laugh? (I hope) Here you go:
What do you call a sad strawberry? A blueberry.
How about one more: What do you call a bee that’s having a bad hair day? Frisbee
The above information, except the jokes, was taken from a Mayo Clinic clinic stress management article, “Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke.”
Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.
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Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
