“As a StoryAthlete, I know the importance of laughter. According to the Mayo Clinic, “When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can: Stimulate many organs. Activate and relieve your stress response. Soothe tension. Improve your immune system. Relieve pain. Increase personal satisfaction. Improve your mood.” For this reason, when times get hard. And even before they get hard, I make time to laugh. “Laughter is the best medicine.” “
Happy Birthday to me!!
A few months ago, I wrote about an experiment that I did with my 4 year old daughter (who just turned 5)! I decided that for an entire day I would laugh whenever she did.
I was driving and another drive cut me off. I was steaming with anger; she busted out laughing. “Why are you laughing, honey?” “Because that was funny,” she responded. And so I laughed with her.
That day, I started to pay attention and observed that my daughter laughs at least once an hour. And not just little chuckles, but full out belly laughs. I decided to laugh every time she did that day, and so I did. That day, I felt less stressed, lighter, happier.
But that was a few months ago. The other day I was driving with her and she said, “Mommy, when I grow up, I’m going to be a silly mommy.” I said, “What does that mean, honey?”
“That means, I’m going to be silly with my kids.”
“Oh, that’s good. Am I silly with you?”
“Sometimes, but not very often.”
Ouch. Well, little children call it as they see it. I was much more spontaneous, fun, and even silly 19 years ago with my first kids. Now, I’m pushing 50, transitioning to being the main breadwinner, and my plate of things to do is constantly overflowing. I definitely needed that reminder that my children still need me to be spontaneous and silly. To laugh, to tickle them, and to just have fun.
Laughter is truly medicine to the soul – not just mine, but theirs too.