My grandmother had an infectious laugh. She lived with us for the last year of her life, when I was 11. Sunday dinners after church were a big deal for my family. Everyone was home, and we ate at the table instead of on TV trays.
After dinner and before the table was cleared, my grandmother would find something to laugh about. She said it was good for the digestion. And it was true that our tummies felt better after the belly laughs that followed those filling meals.
Humor remains an important part of my life, and the more tough times I’ve survived, the more laughter has become a daily priority.
As a therapist, I often assign laughter to clients. Yes, it’s a challenge for those who are depressed. And everyone who has gotten this assignment has found it helpful. Here’s how it works. Give yourself a dedicated period of time. Half an hour is great (and the length of a sit-com), but even 10 minutes to look through old Far Side cartoons is OK, too. The important thing is that it has to be dedicated and focused time. If you’re listening to a CD, it’s ok to be driving, but you need to make the commitment to focus on what you’re hearing. Laugh hard every day for a week.
Now this is not going to take the place of exercise or therapy or other interventions for depression, grief or melancholy. But it will offer some relief and perspective. That little bit of perspective can make a big difference in your healing.
Please try it, even if you’re not feeling depressed.
For a place to start, here are some favorite ways my family and I meet our daily requirement for laughter:
Modern Family episodes
Pet shaming
Parenting memes
I Love Lucy episodes
The Far Side comics
Marx brothers movies
The Simpsons
Internet kittens and puppies