Let Laughter Be Thy Medicine
Did you hear about the two guys who stole a calendar?
They each got six months.
Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?
Because the "p" is silent.
Why couldn’t the pirate learn the alphabet?
Because he got lost at C.
It's Karen here, and I am clearly a fan of corny jokes. As terrible as they are, jokes like that make me laugh. I'm pretty sure they didn't when I was 12 years old and my dad told them to me (he probably got an eye roll). But I've been thinking more about humor these days, and I have Mr, Winston Churchill to thank for that. I am reading a biography about him (quarantine outlasted my interest in Netflix ?), and I am struck by his unwavering sense of humor, even in the most dire circumstances of World War II. I deeply admire his ability to use humor strategically - to diffuse confrontation, to help make a persuasive argument, or to boost morale. For him, it was a gift. For the rest of us, it might be something we have to work a little harder at. As kids, without the weight of adult responsibilities, humor may have come more naturally to us. And in trying times like these (yes, COVID, I'm talking to you), it can feel even harder to stay in touch with our sense of humor. So the example of Mr. Churchill struck a chord with me. How can I bring more laughter into my days? Can I teach my brain to find humor in what I normally label as "stress?" I'm not sure, but I am going to try.
You might be wondering what this has to do with health and wellness? A lot, as it turns out. Laughter is actually very strong medicine, and its health benefits are well-documented. It seems to me that laughter is a very undervalued part of our mental health (and don't we all need more of that right now?). Luckily, there is some good advice out there about to cultivate more humor in your everyday life. Like anything, it takes practice and patience. To get you started, here is a wonderful anthology of corny jokes! Maybe you can share some of your favorites in the comment section below! ?
PS: Why did the bike fall over? It was two tired.