buckethandle via Flickr
When was the last time you laughed? A good ‘ol hearty laugh. Was it 3 hours ago, was it yesterday or was it months ago?
When you had your last laugh is a window into the state of your mind.
Everyone should have a reason to laugh a couple of times a month.
The longer it’s been since your last laugh, the more likely you are to be in a state of stress, burn-out or depression.
So if you can’t quite remember the last time you enjoyed a good pee-in-your-underwear laugh, I say stop what you are doing right now!
Let your mind wander for a few minutes to reflect on what brings you joy and laughter. Now write them down.
The next step would be to do more of those things.
Here comes the pushback; “but I have no time. I’m busy enough as it is”. I hear you but will say this; you have to make time for what’s important to you even if it means paying someone to take over some of the stuff crowding your plate.
I spend a sizable part of my day prescribing and refilling essential medications my patients need for their varied medical conditions but I’ll tell you this;
laughter remains the best medicine out there.
If you think you might be depressed the “Am I Depressed” quiz will answer that question for you quickly.
1. Let’s you know if you are depressed (or not).
2. Rate the severity of the depression.
3. Direct you on the next steps to take for quick recovery so you can feel like “you” again.
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I’m lucky, I laugh a lot! It’s nice to have a husband that laughs with me over really stupid things 😉
Good for you Mary Ann!
Great way to tie in laughter with depression. You’re right- I think laughter can be indicative of your state of mind. I know I’m happier in general when I’m enjoying life (laughing with friends and family) more.
my husband and I laugh at all kinds of crazy things all the time. Great article.
It has been a while for me. Going through some things but joy will come again.
C.L, joy will certainly come again. I wish you well.
I need some laughing right now! My kids are driving me crazy this summer.
Kids? Don’t you just love ’em! Their cue to disturb you is when they see you working. Go with the flow Tara, the days are long but the years are short.
I love to laugh, it cures what ails ya
I sing which is also good medicine, and sometimes my husband and I will sing together on a long drive like we did on Sunday coming home from a Rain: Tribute to Beatles concert. We harmonized all the way home to the Beatles.
My grandchildren make me laugh, my crazy cats and children and animal videos. There’s always time to laugh and smell the roses even when it seems there’s no time. We just need to prioritize and regroup to remember what’s most important.
Lisa,
I really appreciate your contribution to the discussion. Just like alluded to; we all need to step back sometimes to get perspective and refocus on what’s important.
I use to get stressed out often. I have now started to learn to laugh at life and all the things that happen.