“Laughter is always the best medicine,” they say.

“Laugh, and the world laughs with you,” said American poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox. “Weep, and you weep alone.”

Why do these statements ring true even when we face such great hardship and overwhelming sorrow in life? Maybe it’s because life can be so hard. Maybe laughter is a God-given balm for our deepest wounds.

Contemporary science validates the physiological power of laughter. Laughter can relieve pain, lower blood sugar and improve our cardiovascular health (Psychology Today 2005). It can boost our mood, our job performance and our interpersonal relationships. It helps us build and maintain connection.

“Humor,” says Gary K. Palmer, Teaching Professor of Recreation Management and Youth Leadership at Brigham Young University, “helps keep life in perspective…If we will learn to laugh and play more with our families, not only will we feel better but so will they. ‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,’ says Proverbs 17:22. Studies show that humor and laughter help people live longer, happier lives; be more creative and productive; and have more energy with less physical discomfort. Humor reduces stress, fear, intimidation, embarrassment, and anger. Laughter also has extraordinary healing power. When a person laughs, blood pressure decreases, heart rate and respiration increase, the body releases endorphins, and depression declines. After the laughter subsides and you relax again, that good feeling has a lasting effect, even until the next day. Not many medicines will do that” (Sept. 2007 Ensign).

While I definitely appreciate a good belly laugh, I am NOT a good joke teller. I never remember the punchlines, and my comedic timing…does not exist. On a  likely related note, being able to laugh at my own mistakes is not yet in my skillset, and humor that targets other people makes me uncomfortable.  I’m grateful for talented comedians like Steve Soelberg, who will join Brighter Life’s It Matters™ Program next week (12/14/17) to present a live webinar entitled “What’s So Funny? Finding Humor Instead of Frustration in Life.” I know Steve. He’s a very funny comedian and, more important, a very nice guy. I’m eager to learn more from him about how laughter can help us get through when the going gets tough.

We invite you to share your own thoughts, feelings and jokes!

• When has laughter made a dark day brighter for you?
• What does having a good sense of humor mean to you?
• Tell us your favorite (clean and kid-friendly) joke!