If you want to reduce emotional stress this holiday season, give the gift of laughter. We know this will be the difference you need this season!
Milton Berle said, "Laughter is the best medicine in the world."
Don't let holiday stress get you down!
Tis the season to be jolly and enjoy family, friends, and perhaps overindulge a bit. It is also a time that can bring tremendous stress, but it doesn't have to. Laughter is a quick way to reduce stress.
As we become more aware of our emotions, we learn strategies to build positivity and effectively reduce anxiety, especially during the holiday season. The fact remains that laughing is an expression of emotion that can positively impact us during a negative situation.
Laughing is the best medicine
When stress-inducing situations occur during the holidays, be ready and reach for the simplest, least expensive medicine at your fingertips – Laughter.
Yes, laughter and humour are quick and powerful antidotes to life's burdens and general stress. Everyday circumstances can create emotional heaviness that reduces the opportunity to stop and look at the brighter side, quickly stealing our joy. We have to train our brains to manage these situations differently. The more we laugh and use humour, the more joyful our life will be.
Laughter improves mental health
Authors Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. wrote about the link between Laughter and mental health, stating that:
"Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can't feel anxious, angry, or sad when you're laughing. Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict. Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health." (Source: HelpGuide.org)
The gift of laugher
Laughter is a beautiful gift to share with others or inject into challenging circumstances. It's a natural response used soon after we are born. A universal language that breaks all barriers and connects us to others. "Laughter is the Shortest Distance between Two People"- Victor Borge
Without question, it benefits our entire body, including but not limited to:
- Boosting our immune system
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Helping us feel good through the release of endorphins
- Increasing joy
- Strengthening relationships
Understanding the value of laughter is essential when managing our emotions. It is a significant driver of our behaviour and is contagious. Spreading positive contagion instead of negative emotional contagion benefits us and those around us. Don't forget to consider smiling and laughing the next time you feel down. Laughing will significantly improve your mood resulting in you projecting positivity.
Life can be pretty serious and challenging at the best of times, and the holiday season is no different. Be sure to add laughter and humour into your day to manage your emotional health and interactions with others. Check out many more motivational blogs here.
This article was originally published on December 15, 2018, and updated (December 2020).
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