Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine.
Okay, it is a cliche, but there is a reason for that: It's true.

It's no secret that I've felt down in the dumps for the last few weeks. Between working one of my jobs that I believe to be a secret level of Hell that even Dante was afraid to write about, and feeling alienated because my friends live two-hours away, I have definitely had a major case of the blues. This past weekend, however, I experienced the only stimulant that I will ever need to get me out of this slump: Laughter.


I laughed because a friend admitted that she didn't understand a joke used for six weeks about another friend's height.

I laughed because I was the oldest in our group, yet I was the one wearing a shirt with Rex from Toy Story with the words "I'm a Nervous Rex" on the front.

I laughed when my best female friend tried playing the new Grand Theft Auto game and had trouble car-jacking a TARC bus.

I laughed when we got stuck talking with British accents.

I laughed so hard that I cried when I complimented a stranger on his hat while still in British-mode, and he complimented me back using a British accent and calling me his Love.

I laughed when my kids asked if I was married yet. And since I wasn't, did I at least have a boyfriend, now?

I laughed when a cluster of kids yelled "Group Hug the Momma!" and I was immediately attacked with love.

I laughed when watching Happy Gilmore, and the guys would quote the lines before the characters said them.

I laughed when the boys acted 7 years old and chased each other around our cars, even though they are 26 years old.


If you couldn't tell, I had a really great time last weekend. I don't know if I could have managed being in a funk any longer; I needed the love and laughter that came with the weekend. My cheeks hurt from where I had been smiling and laughing so much. That is a good sign, for sure.

So, does laughing instantly elevate your mood? What kinds of things never fail to make you laugh? Do you feel completely rejuvenated after a good long laugh? Have you ever heard someone laugh and had to laugh yourself, even though you didn't know what was funny? I look forward to hearing your anecdotes and laughing-so-hard-you-cried stories. Spread the laughter.