Laughter Is Great Medicine

Recently, I read an interesting article about laughter that impacted me profoundly.

I was unaware laughter contributed so significantly to a person’s longevity and well-being. Research has shown that it increases our life spans; triggers the release of endorphins, which promote a good sense of well-being; protects the heart; improves the function of blood vessels; increases blood flow; reduces stress and anxiety, and much more.

Laughter enriches our lives and the lives of those we touch, and it helps us to feel better too. Now that I know how beneficial laughter is, I plan to be more intentional about it.

Laughter is a free choice. We can choose to laugh and be merry, or we can choose to be sad and miserable. In spite of the terrifying, heart-wrenching events happening everywhere, we should take time to laugh! Many years ago, when my family lived in Ionia, Michigan, United States, I was chatting with a friend on the phone and shared a joke that caused us to laugh. My husband, who was sitting at the table, heard, and I saw him struggle not to laugh.

Our three-year-old daughter, Ngozi, called out, “Dad, you can go ahead and laugh; it’s all right with me.” I was amazed to hear her say those words, and I laughed more as I watched my husband try even harder not to laugh at her encouragement.

My husband and I enjoy getting together with special friends regularly. We laugh a lot and enjoy so much fun. For us, laughter is great medicine; it causes a good feeling to flow over our bodies and puts us in a happy mood.

When you laugh, it makes others want to laugh too.

In these awful times of uncertainty, fear, despair, and death, we need to laugh more, pray continually, and trust God. With Him, everything will be all right.

Dear Lord, thank You for the beautiful gift of laughter.

Help us to use it in a way that makes people smile and brings joy into their lives.

And no matter what challenging situations we may encounter, may others see Your image reflected in us and be encouraged to laugh too.

Shirley C. Iheanacho