Mental Health Awareness Month – Part Two

You’ve probably heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine.” Did you ever give it much thought?

COVID-19 has created challenges for everyone. For many, it has made their mental illness that much harder to cope with. What if laughing could help get us through?

According to helpguide.org laughter and humor can do the following:

• Boost immunity
• Lower stress hormones
• Decrease pain
• Relax your muscles
• Help prevent heart disease
• Increase endorphins to help ease anxiety
• Improve mood
• Strengthen our resilience

Mental Health Awareness month (May) is a great time to become more knowledgeable on the topic of mental illness and is a great opportunity to learn ways to cope. Laughter has no negative side effects and is free. Plus, it’s hard to stay angry or be sad if you’re laughing.

Challenge yourself to seek humor. Watch a funny movie, call that friend who you know always has a good story to tell, or Google dad jokes. Alternatively, try to make someone else laugh. Studies have shown that doing for others makes a positive impact on your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Each day we are faced with reasons to worry, become upset, irritable or feel discouraged. Today, make the decision to choose laughter.