By Tanisha Gonzalez RD,  Nutritionist at Neighborhood Health Center

It's been said that laughter is the best medicine. Emotionally, laughing can help to reduce cortisol hormones, ease tension, increase endorphins, and help with boosting your mood. Physically, laughing can help with improving sleep quality, blood pressure, immune function, and reduce pain. Laughing can also prevent emotional eating by reducing anxious feelings and/or emotional triggers tied to food.

Try the following to get a good laugh in throughout your day:

• Get together with friends & family – Go down memory lane to relive some funny moments you all have experienced with each other.
• Engage/Play with your children – Sometimes kids say the darndest things and we can’t help but to just laugh. Cherish every moment with them and embrace the joy they can bring.
• Watch your favorite comedy movie, sitcom, or listen to some comedic podcasts – Take some time from your day to unwind, sit back, relax and enjoy a good laugh by yourself or with some company.
• Play with your pets – They can do silly things sometimes that can make us laugh.
• Play fun games at parties – Be competitive, yet playful. It’s all fun and games.
• Scroll the internet and find funny memes – Memes are all the rave these days for a quick laugh. Share them with friends and family who can relate.
• Laugh at yourself – Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves. Be lenient with yourself when you’re able, take a moment to laugh at yourself when you do silly things or as a way to calm yourself from a stressful situation or moment.

If you need additional help with stress management, emotional or physical health, make an appointment with a Neighborhood provider. Learn more about our services here.

Resources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/6409-stress-management-and-emotional-healthhttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/its-ok-to-laugh-right-now/