You’ve heard the old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Too often, I think we write that off as cliche, and don’t actually take it seriously. 

Today, I do want you to take it seriously. Take laughing seriously. (Ha!) I mean, really laugh at something. I know sometimes it can be hard to find much humor in the day. Busyness can zap the fun out of a lot of things, but taking a moment to let go and release pent up tension through laughter is really therapeutic. 

In fact, a good, hearty laugh — you know, the big belly laughs — can relieve stress and muscle tension for up to 45 minutes later! And that’s good for your immune system, too. It boosts your T-cells, lowers your blood pressure, releases endorphins, and just makes you feel better!

It may be easiest to start by laughing at yourself. When you drop a plate of food, try laughing at yourself instead of swearing. When you trip over air, laugh it out, girlfriend. When your dog escapes your grasp and tracks mud throughout your entire house (not to mention spewing dirty water all over the place when they shake off), just sit back and belly laugh for a few minutes. It’ll make you feel much, much better, and will keep your spirits high as you clean up the mess.

Humor can also be a great coping mechanism. I have a friend who finds the humor in everything, from her divorce to her child’s medical condition. That’s not to say she can’t take life seriously, but being able to find the funny moments helps her push through to the other side, which ultimately keeps her optimistic through the darker moments of her life. 

If laughing at yourself or your situation isn’t quite doable yet, try laughing at others (not in a mean way!). Buy tickets to a comedy show, watch stand-up comedy on Netflix, or find a comedy podcast to play in the car. I highly recommend 2 Dope Queens, if you aren’t obsessed with it already. 

Humor is such an important part of our society. The way we communicate and interact with one another is often laced with humor. An inside joke or shared memory of a funny event can bring people closer and create a bond that will carry on through other parts of their lives. Especially when things aren’t looking up, shared laughter can be a wonderful way to spread some cheer and happiness to those around you.