Laughter the Best Medicine

We often hear it said: "Laughter is the best medicine." We even say it ourselves sometimes. In fact the saying has become so common that we tend to take its truth for granted.

Researchers in the fields of Medicine and Psychology assert that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh heartily are effective natural ways for maintaining a healthy emotional condition. These traits relieve psychological stress and lessen the possibility of physical illnesses, the reason being that a composed mind boosts the body's defence system to resist ailments.

While life issues can be really serious, a humorous look at difficult situations can help establish a better frame of mind. Just as regular physical exercise can tone the muscles and promote good internal as well as external physical shape, daily doses of humor can release stresses and worries and help send away the blues.

Joviality and a good sense of humor are popularly held to reflect a trouble-free, positive attitude. These are regarded as marks of good character. Hence, a cheerful person easily draws the goodwill of others.

Someone I know collects every amusing item he can find. He has clippings of cartoons and jokes from newspapers and magazines neatly filed in folders. He also keeps a special notebook where he writes down all the funny stories he hears.

"If it makes me laugh, I save it," he says. True; for example, he has a complete compilation of Mr. Juanito Jabat's "Have Bat, Will Strike" column in The Freeman. He swears there is not even a single piece he missed.

Moreover, the guy also has a full shelf of funny books, video movies and audio recordings. "Enough funny things to keep me laughing for the rest of my life," he assures me. Furthermore, this healthy 75-year-old is a devoted follower of all the comedy shows on TV.

For the rest of us who don't have the habit yet, it's not too late to start. In my case, I begin by searching my memory; what wasn't funny to me a few years ago I may find funny now. Also, I watch out for opportunities to discover new humor.

I take note of places where people usually get a good laugh. Now and then there's a funny movie showing at a theater; there are hilarious programs airing on AM radio everyday; and there are the so-called comedy bars around. Well, yes, there are funny shows on TV.

Opportunities for a good laugh are everywhere. We all have at least one joker friend we can visit when we're going through a stressful time. Or, going to the park where there are children playing, we are certain to find the uninhibited behavior of little kids very amusing, even eye-opening for us but always in a funny way.

A healthy laugh does not really have to cost anything, except perhaps the interest to spot the funny sides of life. Even the most serious and troubling events can have an element of humor in them. If we try to notice, there's a lot of comedy or humor happening around us.

During a big sale at the mall, I saw a woman going out of the building while hugging several huge bags full of her purchased merchandise. Her load completely blocked her view of the way. The whole time she was shouting for people to stay clear of her path as she tried to get a taxi!

Once, in the day-care class my sister was handling, a tiny kid wept because he could only count two fingers while all her classmates were counting ten. When my sister asked the little one to count again, the kid went, "One, two. One, two. One, two…" That was all the poor tot's arithmetic could go!

For those who have the funny bone, I ask that they share their humor with others. The best way to buff up a talent is to use it often. The benefit goes both ways, to the receiver as well as to the giver.

Laughter is the best medicine. A good laugh is liberating. Whether from a momentary hassle or from a heavily laden life. (E-MAIL: [email protected])