By E. Corinne Byrd
Did you know that well into the 1800s, laughter was considered
detrimental to physical and spiritual well being? It was thought to
be impolite, even sinful. Evidence that laughter was offensive goes
back to ancient times, when Plato recommended all literature be
edited to delete any mention of gods or heroes overtaken with
– oh my – laughter!
By E. Corinne Byrd
Did you know that well into the 1800s, laughter was considered detrimental to physical and spiritual well being? It was thought to be impolite, even sinful. Evidence that laughter was offensive goes back to ancient times, when Plato recommended all literature be edited to delete any mention of gods or heroes overtaken with – oh my – laughter!
We’ve learned a lot about humor since Plato’s day. In 1979, the healing power of wit was brought to light with the publication of Norman Cousins’ book, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins was diagnosed with a terminal illness and had virtually no chance of survival. Yet, he was totally convinced that positive emotions could bring about healing. No scientific evidence backed that up, but Cousins was nonetheless so sure, he checked himself out of the hospital and into a nearby hotel. Under the watchful eye of round-the-clock nurses, he invited his pals over to watch comedies – Candid Camera shows and old Marx Brothers films. Guess what? Cousins got well!
Medical studies have since definitively proven laughter is good for us. There are plenty of compelling reasons it’s called the “best medicine.” Laughter enhances respiration, lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen in the blood stream. It also increases T-cell production, helping our bodies fight off deadly pathogens. Something else researchers have found: laughter reduces stress. It’s a respite, a relief, a release from the grind of life. Laughter also helps ditch the blues. Snickering produces a natural high from Endorphins released in the brain’s pleasure centers.
Still, most of us don’t sit around and think about how important it is to laugh. In fact, laughter and life seem on different wave lengths at times. How can we have a few laughs on days we’re humor challenged?
One way is to play. Remember how? Fun is something we never outgrow. I like to play by writing. How do you (or could you) amuse yourself? Are you an athlete, artist, musician? Be open to exploring play; it strips away pretense and adds an unmatched dimension of merriment. Don’t fret over how you look or sound during this glee. Others’ opinions do not matter.
Dr. Isaac the Clown said, “You can’t laugh and be mad. You can’t laugh and worry, because stress, worry and laughter are not compatible. Laughter is low-calorie, caffeine-free, no sodium, no preservatives or additives. It’s 100% natural, and one size fits all. You can get high on laughter but never ‘o.d.’ Laughter is contagious; once it starts, little can be done to stop it. Laughter never felt bad, committed a crime, started a war or broke up a relationship. Laughter is shared by the giver and the receiver. Laughter costs nothing and is not taxable.”
Consider the magic of laughter, and chuckle out loud several times today.
Life is short. Stay Happy!
