There are many ways to cope with stress. Although relaxation and meditation are strong against stress, my favorite anti-stress agent is laughter. I love to laugh! I allow myself to laugh even in the midst of anxiety. Life must be enjoyed. I do my best to take life with a grain of salt and live without taking it all too seriously.
Laughter is often said to be the best medicine. A shot of laughter can change your outlook and help you cope with stressful times. It unbridles you when you can’t see past your situation. Instead of allowing stress to damage your spirit, use laughter to turn stress into fuel. When you laugh in the midst of a stressful time, you interrupt the signals to your brain. Taking time to laugh during a stressful situation helps you relax and regain focus.
When you laugh at yourself, you send yourself a message of acceptance. You tell yourself it’s okay to be human. You also send a message to those around you that you can let your hair down, and in turn, others feel comfortable around you.
Where do I go to for a good laugh? When I am alone, I recall funny events in my life that make me smile even years later. Other times, I find something humorous to read. When necessary, I look for side-splitting comedy videos on the internet or in my video library.
Whether it is a quick chuckle to get you through a stressful situation, or a laugh out loud, tear-jerking cackle, laughter is the medicine of choice.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. When was the last time I put my responsibilities on hold and laughed out loud?
2. How can I use laughter to better relieve my stress?
3. What are three things that make me laugh that I can incorporate into my daily life?
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