Comic Relief: The Healing Power of Laughter

What's the one prescription I am always happy to dispense? Take two belly laughs and call me in the morning. Safer than any big pharma pill-of-the-moment and free of harmful side effects, laughter is one of the easiest things you can do to promote healing and well-being. In fact, in my 20 years of medical experience, I've found that patients who have a sense of humor and laugh a lot tend to heal better and faster than those who don't. Therefore, I say if health and wellness are your goals, skip irony, bypass sarcasm and make the conscious choice to add more joyous laughter into to your day.

Here are 10 simple health-enhancing reasons to have a daily laugh -- and in my next post, I'll show you seven simple ways to get more of them:

And in the words of 19th century humorist Mark Twain, "Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." A wise man indeed!

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Comments

[DavesWife]

02:59 PM on 03/30/2012

Laughter is a powerful medicine. As a matter of fact I start my day by looking in the mirror!!!! Gotta laugh at that! Can't take ourselves too seriously. :-) Well, look at that, I'm laughing now . . . . . .

[Christina Chilcoat]

10:51 AM on 03/29/2012

Belly laughs huh?!

[headpiece419]

09:35 AM on 03/29/2012

I was sick, then I laughed, now I'm better. Thanks laughter.

[lensamy]

03:45 PM on 03/28/2012

Laughter is truly a medicine, a few days ago i was very busy and sad and all, then i came across this bit online and for whatever reason i couldnt stop laughing, it truly made me feel soooo much better.

[vividrick]

05:36 AM on 03/28/2012

My Mother is an aredent believer in laughter as medicine. Be it stand-up, panel show or sitcom, comedy is a staple part of my lifestyle & I recommend to others also, in fact I swear by it, in a jovial sense off course. I'd like to thank Dr Larry David for his continual good quality prescriptions! :-D

[headpiece419]

09:33 AM on 03/29/2012

It's not what it looks like!!

[Claudia Roldan]

01:18 AM on 03/28/2012

I am a HUGE believer in laughter being the best form of medicine. One should never go a day without putting a smile or having a good laugh. I've noticed a huge difference in my mood when I get a good laugh out during the day. If you find yourself stressed out you might want to consider taking some time to be around fun people. I found these great tips on FOODS that relieve STRESS, hope it helps: http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/davidp/foods-that-reduce-stress

[Ann Gruben]

05:58 PM on 03/27/2012

Oh!

[Lily Beauty]

01:40 PM on 03/27/2012

Laughing makes you more likeable and so does this elegant eye catcher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0iLtcSg0nM

[Easy123]

01:20 PM on 04/01/2012

Advertising here is not cool IMO

[Ethereal Star Seed]

01:27 PM on 03/27/2012

If everyone understood the implications of laughter and it's ability to heal there would be no wars.

Sadly there are many who do not wish this to be which is why so many are brainwashed to hate as well as submerge themselves in fear.

[pepper1311]

03:03 PM on 03/27/2012

What planet are really from?

[michelesda]

01:05 PM on 03/27/2012

"...skip irony, bypass sarcasm and make the conscious choice to add more joyous laughter into to your day."

I don't get it; why would you skip those things? Sarcasm usually has a humorous intent, and irony is one of the highest forms of humor, so what is he talking about?

[Harleigh]

11:55 AM on 03/27/2012

The GOP is in a great position to add even more laughter at a brokerered cornvenshun and nominate a Palin - Bachmann Ticket fer jebus! Oh what a hoot that would be.

[probo]

11:53 AM on 03/27/2012

One of the main reasons that I come to this site is for the chuckles....I need as much of that as possible. I believe that laughter is the sweetest sound....;-)

[jdwright62]

11:41 AM on 03/27/2012

The author says "skip irony" for the sake of your health? Gosh. I get some pretty good belly laughs out of good irony. Oddly enough, Mark Twain is apparently cited as a "humorist" who might have a palliative effect, and yet his stock in trade was irony. I also enjoy Swift and others of that ilk. In fact, I find irony funnier than clown shoes or a gardenia that shoots water in my face. What to do?

[Milrepa]

10:59 AM on 03/27/2012

"Cyncism is for chumps," said Jimmy Durante. So true.

[cinemaven]

09:20 AM on 03/27/2012

This was disappointingly short and gave no advice on how to add laughter.
I find things to laugh at every day but sometimes, for a powerful boost, I seek out an extra dose and here are my favorite tips for guaranteed laughter.

Go to YouTube and do a search on laughing babies. It's impossible not to laugh along.
Go to your local comedy club. Even if the talent is mediocre, you'll leave feeling limp and boneless from the sustained laughter.
Have a night with friends to play games. The games keep any downer stories being told and get everyone laughing. Pictionary is a good game for inciting laughter!
Leave a few comedy cd's in your car for long drives. For my tastes, Billy Connelly, Mitch Hedberg, Jim Gaffigan are guaranteed to have me giggling.