Laughter on the Menu
W
BY DORI GILLAM
hat do you do on gray days to lift your mood and attitude? Are chocolate or cookies calling to you? Rather than consuming empty calories, try feeding yourself some comedy. Some people save favorite recipes; you can create a file of comedy favorites for a diet of sure-fire fun. And just like eating good food keeps us healthy, the science is clear: Laughter is good medicine. It relieves stress, reduces blood pressure, and is a natural pain reliever. Did you know that the two universal, automatic responses to something we find funny are doubling over at the waist (that’s why it’s called a belly laugh) and slapping the table or one’s knees (“a real knee-slapper”)? If you haven’t done either in a while, you’re overdue.
Here are four steps to assure you’ll always have a daily diet of healthy humor.
Know what makes you laugh.
What, or who, makes you double over with laughter, or at least grin? If you aren’t sure, take this online quiz to find out what comedy style you fall into: www.thecut.com/article/whatsyour-humor-style.html
Create a comedy cache.
Save links from funny YouTube videos in a favorites file. Build a list of movies, TV shows, and Comedy Central specials that make you laugh. Check out books of limericks or puns from the library and rediscover comedy writers like Erma Bombeck and Dave Barry.
Involve others!
Social engagement is the number one way to improve health
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3rd Act magazine | winter 2020
www.3rdActMag.com