Laughter Is the Best Medicine

“A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE, 
BUT A BROKEN SPIRIT DRIES THE BONES.”
Proverbs 17:22

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4

There are some things too serious and somber to be laughed about. It is sometimes inappropriate to laugh. Make your list of things that are inappropriate, but be cautious not to make that list too long.

Got a problem you can’t seem to solve? The next best thing to solving a problem is finding humor in it.

“All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Do you believe that? If so, act like it.

The more secure you are in your beliefs, the easier it becomes to see the comic side of life. Let out a loud laugh coming from the depth of your soul and thank God He is your best friend.

“…a broken spirit dries the bones,” means stress saps the immune system. Feelings are chemical; they can kill you or cure you.

Laughter is an instant vacation. Along life’s pathway steal a little victory by laughing at defeat. Laughing ignites a chemical reaction in the body. Dopamine, Serotonin, and Endorphins are chemicals responsible for your happiness. Many situations, such as laughter, can trigger these neurotransmitters. They reduce stress hormones that can, over time, damage the brain (such as cortisol and epinephrine).

Modern brain imaging offers insights and shows that “laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a cliché. It works.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphin and serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. They promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. The absence of them causes depression. Negative feelings also have a chemical effect.. Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.

Learn to laugh at trouble. If you don’t, you won’t have anything to laugh about when you get old.

Often an opportunity to laugh is a choice, a mind set. The more negative you are the more negative associated brain chemicals there are, and that causes you to become even more negative. The more negative you become, the more chemicals there are. It is a bootstrap effect. Consider these contrasts.

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15 NLT)

“But the one who rules in heaven laughs.” (Psalm 2:4) If God laughs, that is reason enough for us to laugh. Ask yourself this question: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again.” (Psalm 42:5) 

“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13 NLT)  

Put on your happy face and see how it helps you.