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Laughter is the Best Medicine
Written on 17 September 2009 by Mark Lewis. 3 comments.It’s been argued before that laughter is the best medicine. What about the other characteristics that define something as being better than all the rest? Can you simply argue based upon positive health effects alone? Probably, but that wouldn’t give me the opportunity to share my perspective on why laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter isn’t simply a great medicine because it’s healthy. Laughter is one of the best medicines because it is inexpensive, abundant, and non-intrusive.
Laughter is inexpensive
I laugh a lot every day, so when I was working on my budget this weekend for next month and comparing figures from last month, I was surprised to find out that my good laughs have cost me very little. The only monetary cost you could attribute to my good laughs is that from my monthly Netflix subscription - worth every penny!
Perhaps the reason laughter is so inexpensive is because it is abundant.
Laughter is abundant
The best source for laughter comes from people watching. Take a moment and realize what’s happening around you the next time you’re at the park or pub. It doesn’t cost a dime to watch that kid wear his ice cream. Laughing comes from within which requires you to find your sense of humor. People are everywhere, always providing laughs, you just have to slow down and take notice.
When all else fails and you can’t find humor in other people’s actions, you should practice laughing at yourself. Who hasn’t accidentally walked into the wrong bathroom or walked into a door because you thought it pushed open? We’ve all had our mishaps and if you can’t laugh at them, well that’s plain stupid. I have memories of mishaps a decade old that still crack me up!
Laughter is non-intrusive.
Granted, not everyone will agree with me that laughter is non-intrusive. I understand there are people with weak bladders who would consider some forms of laughter not only intrusive but embarrassing. Nonetheless, I have yet to experience a laugh that has drawn blood.
I currently take medication to help manage my bladder, yet it makes my mouth dry and I crave water. What kind of sick paradox is that? Perhaps I should just pee my pants and laugh it off.
Hello.
I'm Mark. When life gives me lemons I just roll with it.
Comments
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You are truly an inspiration Mark. As for the paradox, life is full of those so a sense of humor really comes in handy.
That is a good point about people-watching. That is an example I had not thought of to result in laughs. I sometimes crack up at what I see. I had forgotten that that is such a source of good material. I crack up just when walking into a store when I see some hilarious parking method or such.
Armen, I love people watching! When I’m not laughing I’m usually learning.