Need a magic pill?

I’ve got one, and it’s free.

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.

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

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

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