The healing properties of laughter

Does it seem like everyone is too angry today? Wherever you turn – in the news, on social media, on the highways – it seems like people are too wound up and too quick to anger. Maybe we all need to lighten up and focus on what unites us, not divides us. Maybe we need to rely more on the healing properties of laughter!

Laughing isn’t just kid’s play, it’s very important to our overall health. It’s a great stress buster and tension reliever. Many medical professionals even point to laughter and humor as having pain reduction and healing properties. Laughing can lower blood pressure and release endorphins. Like yawning, laughter also seems to be contagious. There’s no doubt that it’s social – we see examples every day of how one person’s laughter can spread from person to person, even to a large group.

Try to bring out laughter in others by cultivating your sense of humor and playfulness. Humor is a great tool for bonding. It’s humanizing and a terrific way to put people at ease and spread goodwill. Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself. Humor can build trust, nurture resilience and spark creativity.

But a word of caution: We’ve all seen examples of when humor goes awry. Recently, a few professional comedians have gone off the rails, sparking anger instead of humor due to hurtful or offensive comments. When using humor, be respectful and let kindness be your yardstick. Avoid mean-spirited or biting humor. Don’t try to get a laugh at someone else’s expense. Keep things appropriate. Avoid hot-button topics and jokes or comments that could be perceived as sexist, racist or offensive in any way.  At work or in social situations, aiming for a gentle, playful humor is a good rule of thumb.