The Session: The Importance of Laughter

Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Joyce Meyer writes in her article, “The Benefits of Laughter!”, “Laughter is so important! It’s the outward evidence of inward joy, and it is proven to make you feel better. The joy of the Lord can ease any emotional and physical pain and bring you a new level of satisfaction in life.”

It has been said that laughter is like internal jogging, and I think that is so true. Laughter improves emotional and mental health, it lifts our spirits, and it dispels worry. It’s almost impossible to be anxious and laugh at the same time. This is why we would be wise to express joy in laughter every chance we get.

Laughter helps in the battle against anxiety, fear and worry. It also helps in the battle against stress, which is the body’s response to what the mind is thinking.

Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review, from the National Library of Medicine

Laughter is a strategy that has physical, psychological, and social impact in relationships improving health, ultimately improving the quality of life.

Laughter has a positive effect on the mental health and immune system.

Laughter reduces the stress making hormones found in the blood stream. This helps the impact on your health.

Laughter impacts cortisol, epinephrine, and dopamine levels.

Laughter releases endorphins- happy cells.

If laughter isn’t a “normal” part of us, how do we find it? Watch squirrels act squirrely out our office window? (no….no, I haven’t done that….)

How do we change a culture of battle or sadness to a culture of laughter in our home?

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To reach Tom Russell, visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com or email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com