Laughter Is Good Medicine
I have been without internet the past two days but I have a brief window this morning to say hello. To take advantage of this situation I am reposting the second blog post I wrote back in 2018.
I continue to be on holidays in the Maritimes until the 13th but next week I will be able to scribble away as usual. Until then I hope this note finds you immersed in summer and loved ones and various adventures.
I also know some of you, like me, will have received sad news about the death of a friend or other challenging situations. And we all do what we can do with things as they are. May you have strength and courage and loved ones to lend a hand and provide warmth and laughter too.
Here is that old post about laughter. See you next week. Warmly, Trudy
Laughter
There isn’t much to laugh at when it comes to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and so many other painful, life threatening, and on-going difficult illnesses that life throws in our way. Yet, Dr. Itami, who founded Meaningful Life Therapy in Japan, uses laughter as part of his healing prescription for cancer patients.
Humour therapy is built into his unique approach to treating his patients, along side conventional medicine. Patients are encouraged to go looking for funny stories. In fact he invites them to find something funny about their own personal and difficult situations. You know, things like the crazy assumptions people make or the unhelpful suggestions that are sometimes offered. Or the particular ironies of our situation.
The point is to find a funny story to share with others when they meet in a group setting each week.
Why, you may ask? What on earth is the purpose of this odd assignment?
Well, for one thing, laughter is good medicine. There isn’t necessarily undisputed clinical proof to say that laughter boosts the immune system. There are, however, thousands of anecdotal testaments that laughter boosts our spirits and improves the quality of our everyday life.
As we start paying attention to moments and events that will yield a funny story, we give ourselves a temporary mental break. We shine the spotlight of our attention away from the moments of anxiety and worry that often accompany illness. I recall the fear I experienced while waiting and waiting for the confirmation of a test and/or the possibility of a serious diagnosis.
When we surround ourselves with friendly, goodhearted funny people and don’t resist the humour, we lighten up, even when times are tough. Children and young people are catalysts of joy and laughter. Lucky me – I have had the gift of spending inordinate amounts of time with all of my grandchildren, at various ages, and I find laughter flows naturally when I am with them.
I have a friend that as soon as I hear her voice we both burst out laughing. A stranger may think we are losing it and in a way we are. Losing ourselves in the ironies and cosmic jokes of life itself and our own funny selves in particular. When I hang up the phone I can feel my heart and immune system saying YES. You just gave me exactly the boost I needed.
All of us have daily trials large and small so why not actively seek out gentle joy and humour so that we laugh more often both for the fun of it and the health of it.
Practice wise medicine and try to have a good laugh at least three times a day. Edward Hays
Note: I love being around people who love to laugh. I am not that funny myself but when I am with them, laughter bubbles up out of nowhere, to my delight.
PS that photo is my son in law greeting his daughter after ten days apart when she was 18 months old. I loved that moment.
Dear Trudy, I am saddened to hear you have received sad news while at the same time, heartened to see the photo, the joy – this is how the heart makes a duet of wonder and grief, right?
sending you warm hugs and the medicine of laughter, Janice
Thank you dear Janice. I like that expression, “a duet of wonder and grief.” Gratefully, Trudy
I confess I borrowed that from Mark Nepo from his poem Adrift. I love it because it because it captures the yin and yang of grief. xoxo
In the end it is all borrowed. ❤️
Love the photo Trudy. It speaks so much. Your gentle reminders to focus on the whole of life, pay attention to the moments is needed and appreciated. Enjoy the Maritimes. Such an amazing part of the world. Hugs to you. Mary
Thank you dear Mary. I am sending good wishes your way. Enjoy the presence of your beautiful family. Gentle hugs, Trudy
Dear Trudy
Holding you in my heart and in the light.
Laughter is needed i my life, thank you for the reminder
Thank you dear Kathryn: may things be as good as possible with a few special surprises thrown in. Warmly, Trudy