The Best Medicine
In honor of National Humor Month, I did a little research and as it turns out, comedy is surprisingly good for your health. According to helpguide.org, a not for profit resource for information on health, humor has a positive effect on health in a variety of ways. The article, "Humor, Laughter and Health" explains how comedy boosts both our physical and mental health. Consider the following:
- Humor enhances our ability to connect with others.
- Laughter lowers you blood pressure.
- Humor changes your biochemical state.
- Laughter protects the heart.
- Humor improves brain function and relieves stress.
- Laughter gives us a good work out.
- Humor increases our energy
This is just a summary. I encourage you to read the article yourself. Once you do, you will be convinced of the importance of getting your daily dose of hilarity.
I know what you are thinking. "How will I ever find the time to get enough humor each day?" This is a real concern. With global warming, the economy in crisis, our involvement in two wars and a president that doesn't lend himself to satire, getting enough humor can be a real challenge.
Here are some effective strategies for meeting your daily allowance.
- Become Michael Ian Black's sidekick. He is freakin' hilarious. If you hung out with him, you would be laughing all the time.
- Have everyone that you come into daily contact with wear flippers, because watching people gallumphing around in flippers is hysterical.
- Change your name to Mr. Fart-a-lot. If you are male, this would be very funny, and if you are female, it would be a laugh-out-loud riot.
- Approach your life as one big Onion article, your every thought conforming to the format of a headline. Sample thoughts: "Area Man Self Consciously Buys Tampons For Menstruating Wife," and "Area Woman Surrounds Herself With Flipper Wearing Friends."
- Read Callithump Thunderblog religiously.
I know what you are thinking. "These strategies for increasing my humor intake sound easy enough, but are there any side effects?"
This is a very good question. Laughter might be the best medicine, but as with any treatment, may present risks. Side effects of excessive humor intake include but are not limited to abdominal pain, beverage expulsion via nasal passages, incontinence, crying, shortness of breath, and unseemly snorting noises and loud guffaws that might attract unwanted attention. Furthermore, it is not recommended that you roll around on the floor as you laugh, as this can lead to contusions and fractures. It is important to note however, that it is not possible to laugh any part of your body off, even if you are laughing unusually hard.
Ask your doctor if incorporating humor into your everyday life is right for you.
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Congratulations, Nanodance! This is classic!
FYI... I find that imbibing large quantities of alcohol also raises the level of levity. However, one must carefully monitor alcohol level as too much can be overkill and turn you into a whimpering idiot. Of course, that may provide a greater level of levity for your more callous and tacky "friends."
I much prefer wearing flippers to work to amuse my friends and myself. And thanks to you, I"ve come to appreciate Michael Ian Black and the Onion.
Sincerely,
Larew
Memo to self:
Add flippers to Christmas wish list.