The other day I was walking out to my car at work and one of the guys from Perry & Perry Builders from next door came up behind me running to his truck. He scared me so badly I jumped. He apologized profusely but when I realized what was going on I scared him back by producing the biggest belly laugh I’ve had in a while. Big belly laughs are good for the soul.
I grew up laughing and over the years I’ve developed a loud, embarrassing laugh. I’ve been told that I’m one of those people who, when laughing, my laugh is funnier than whatever I’m laughing at. It’s also annoying to some.
I worked in large phone rooms in Houston at a couple of my jobs and we were always laughing and cutting up between calls. The annoying part came in when my coworkers couldn’t hear their customers because I was laughing too loudly.
But good belly laughing is actually good for you and can improve your health. According to mental health experts:
• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
• Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.
• Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.
• Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.
And after (almost) making it through this crazy year I think we should all read something, listen to something or watch something that makes us laugh like crazy.
And just like laughing makes you feel good, acts of kindness are also good for your soul.
And our town has plenty of ways to to make you feel good about yourself.
This weekend on Saturday is the Buddy Oney Toy Run. Please donate $25 toys or make a monetary donation to this very helpful organization.
For questions or to make a donation contact Charles Starr at 512-540-2561.
The Miles brothers, Chris and Charles, from Miles Styles Barber Shop is having a coat drive through Dec. 15. Please drop off your new or gently-used coats for both adults and kids. If you are in need of coats you may stop by the shop and pick them up any time.
Rockdale Multi Service Senior Center seeks help this Christmas for their clients. Due to COVID-19 they are not having their angel trees at The Ranch or the library this year.
Call director Carolyn Cooper at 512-446-2666 and she will give you the name of a senior to sponsor and information about how to make donations.
And how about we end with a good laugh:
I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high.
She looked at me surprised.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.