Here we are enjoying ourselves in the month of October! I am loving my time at the RCII and loving my day-to-day this month. Even though summer is my favorite season- I have to tell you, I sure am partial to October. I just LOVE Halloween… it probably is one of my favorite holidays. I just love the colors, scents, sounds, and foods that come with fall. I just love celebrating my BIRTHDAY!

Being that it is my birthday month- I typically see a lot of family during October. In fact, I just got back from a great weekend in NY with my parents and extended family friends. One thing that I love doing with family, especially with my sister, is laughing. I mean- belly clenching, tears rolling, sides hurting- laughter. She and I can just giggle and giggle for hours. In fact, we used to get “in trouble” for it when we were supposed to be in bed!

Laughter really is some of the best medicine. I think at times we are just too serious of a culture. And especially us nurses- we are running, constantly going, hanging drips, discharging patients, flushing lines… you name it. We perform task after task. We have so much on our to-do list to “check off”. Sometimes the rush and run of the day just leaves us exhausted. It leaves us stressed. It leaves us with frowns, grimaces, tension, or pain. What better way to feel better than to have a good laugh?

Starting with some of the physical benefits, laughter relaxes the entire body. A good, vigorous laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. It decreases stress hormones and increases infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your immune system. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

 It improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which of course protects the heart. Researchers at the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas. After viewing the films, the blood vessels of the group who watched the comedy behaved normally — expanding and contracting easily. The blood vessels in people who watched the drama tended to tense up, restricting blood flow.

Laughter can be a great release and a way to recharge. By laughing you can dissolve difficult emotions. Most times you won’t feel worried, angry, or depressed while you’re laughing. It helps you relax by reducing stress and increasing energy. What a great way to stay focused and enhance productivity?

And finally, the focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with a painful spine condition, found when he watched comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, he felt better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

So why not allow yourself to let go and release with some really heart-felt laughter? You might try just smiling more. There really is some truth to the phrase “Fake it ‘till you make it”. Or try out a Laughter Yoga Club. Attend a comedy. Surround yourself with playful, joyful people. And for goodness sakes, try not to be too hard on yourself.

The best way to allow yourself to laugh- is to laugh at you!

What are some ways you can take yourself less seriously? Are there any places and spaces you have tried to laugh more? What has been your experience with laughter and it being good for your health?