Inspiring Your Best

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Need a magic pill?

kathrynleroy.substack.com

Need a magic pill?

I’ve got one, and it’s free.

Kathryn A. LeRoy
Feb 18
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Share this post

Need a magic pill?

kathrynleroy.substack.com
A single yellow daffodil against a dark background
Daffodil © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friends,

Let’s face it. Living comes with good days and bad.

What can you do when the world starts crashing around you?  Or, you just have one of those non-descript blah days.

When my brain needs a break, I start looking for something to smile about. But what?

Laughter—it’s cheap and free.

I believe it’s a magic pill worth considering.

A large yellow sunflower with a brown center nestled in a bouquet of flowers
Sunflower Smiles © Kathryn LeRoy

A good laugh has both short-term and long-term health benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter may relieve stress and offers the best and cheapest prescription in times of high stress.

Laughter creates physical changes in the body.

  • Stimulate many organs

  • Activate and relieve your stress responses

  • Soothe tension

Laughter may also help us long-term.

  • Improve your immune system

  • Relieve pain

  • Increase personal satisfaction

  • Improve your mood

My husband watches “Funniest Home Videos” every Sunday evening. We never miss it. Ever!

Every episode delivers more than a few laughs. I love hearing him chuckle and often belly-laugh at the clips. We all feel better when we laugh—alone and together.

I have my own go-to programs like “The Big Bang Theory” and the old “I Love Lucy” episodes. How can you not laugh at Lucy’s antics?

Lucy and Ethel stomping grapes or working in the candy factory never grows old. Treat yourself to these top ten classic moments from the “I Love Lucy” series.

At 98, the late Carl Reiner shared the best advice for any age.

“Laughter is my first priority. I watch something every night that makes me laugh. I wake up and tickle myself while I’m still in bed. There is no greater pleasure than pointing at something, smiling and laughing about it. I don’t think there is anything more important than being able to laugh. When you can laugh, life is worth living. It keeps me going. It keeps me young.“

We all need an arsenal of laughable moments for now and any day our heart begins to sag. Share yours in the comments.

In addition to laughter, consider adopting a kindness habit to make a better world.

I double-dare you not to laugh while watching this video.

This is the song that never fails to make me smile—“Three Little Birds.”

“Laughter is important, not only because it makes us happy, it also has actual health benefits. And that’s because laughter completely engages the body and releases the mind. It connects us to others, and that in itself has a healing effect.”
— Marlo Thomas

White narcissus blooms against a dark background
Narcissus © Kathryn LeRoy

Find a little wonder this week. Laughter is contagious—in the best way, and it’s the magic pill that costs you nothing.

With gratitude,

Kathryn


Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this weekly note to someone who would enjoy a few words of inspiration.

I always welcome your thoughts, so, please leave me a message or click the little heart at the bottom of the page. It makes me smile!

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Need a magic pill?

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Tom Sparley
Feb 18Liked by Kathryn A. LeRoy

Laughter Starts Each Morning

Feb. 18, 2023 @ 09:29

Sources: texts between my wife & her BFF, Paws & other cats, Sis (Cat of the Day emails), photos on our walls and first morning photos that warm my heart & brain.

All the above... Free Medicine!

Thank you Kathryn for reminding me of the value of laughter!

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Ellie Thompson
Feb 20Liked by Kathryn A. LeRoy

This is absolutely delightful, Kathryn, and perfect for my day today, as I was feeling a little down when I got up. Living alone, I have to admit that I rarely laugh; even so, I know that they say, 'laughter is the best medicine.' I must say that I watched both videos; the one of the laughing baby had me giggling in my seat, and the song 'Three Little Birds' made me smile and sing along all the way through (I love Bob Marley and the Wailers). Thank you so much for adding these charming videos to your post - that laughter and the smiles have done me a power of good, and I can already see a more positive day ahead of me. Have a lovely day, Kathryn. Xx 😊💞

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