Thinking about the value of laughter is far overdue. I’ve always laughed easily, but the older I get, the more critical laughter becomes. Humor and laughter truly set humans apart from animals. I don’t notice Lucy laughing as I do, but she does wriggle and squirm like an escape artist and wags her tail so fast she could take off like a helicopter. Maybe that is her form of laughter. I hope so.

I recently took a short trip, and what was most memorable and influential was not the sights and food but the daily belly laughing. It was the best emotional therapy and worked my stomach muscles better than painful setups. We laughed about everything and nothing—what went well and the tourist traps—the tasty and the beyond-our-comfort-zone food—and the multitude of memories, stories, and jokes. The familiar words as we bid goodbye were, “I had a blast.”

Because of the value of laughter, I’ve tried laughing more often this week. “Ma’am, your car needs new tires. The cost will be $$$$$$$$$.” “There is a 40% chance of snow along with wind gust up to 40 MPH.” “Sorry, ma’am, but I have nothing until June 5th.” “The technician will be at your house between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.”  “We should have your car ready in seven hours.” These examples have been in the last few days, but others are endless. I hope you get the message: Laughing isn’t always easy. We need to remember the words of Robert Frost, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”

I recently watched comedians Leanne Morgan and Seinfeld on Netflix and laughed hard.

Laughter is the best medicine because it heals from the inside and doesn’t attack our bodies with manufactured chemicals.

If you are feeling low, sad, unloved, stuck, or anything below a five on a scale of one to ten, with ten being fabulous and one being unbearable, try laughter therapy. Look in the mirror and laugh for at least one minute. If you don’t feel better, do it again and again. It works.

Instead of a wine party (alcohol is a depressant), have a laughing party. Tell jokes, recall stories where you laugh at yourself, or spend the evening watching funny movies. One of my favorites is Funny Farm with Chevy Chase.

Remember to choose friends who laugh too. Laughter and its benefits are contagious. I can laugh when others laugh, even when I don’t hear what is said.

Laughter is free, has negative consequences only if directed at someone instead of with someone, and has the added benefit of sparkling eyes and youthful beauty.

Laugh; it’s a no-brainer.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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