“Laughter is carbonated holiness” ~ Anne Lamott
No matter how many times I read Anne Lamott’s quote about laughter, I still giggle. Laughter is bubbly. It’s a feel-good when things don’t feel so good. Laughter is a form of play.
In today’s high-pressure, angst-filled world, it’s easy to dismiss play as an indulgence, something we did in childhood, and we relegate it to the past. Yet, research consistently highlights the profound benefits of humor, laughter, and play for adults, making it a vital tool for well-being, creativity, and resilience. It has rewards for mental, emotional, and physical health.
The common theme with comedians is exploring universal human experiences and everyday life from a unique and relatable perspective and create a sense of amusement and connection among the audience.
Humor, however, can be harmful if it is hostile, antagonistic, or degrading, or if it divides people rather than bringing them closer together. A joke can “go too far.”
In our hectic lives many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.
Play helps relieve stress, improve brain function, stimulate the mind, boosts creativity, improves relationships and your connection to others, and to keep you feeling empathy, and it can keep you feeling young and energetic. It can improve social skills and heal emotional wounds.
I recently wrote myself out a “Permission Slip” to have fun. I wrote I could have lightness of heart, despite the state of the world or the state of humans. I wrote I could dance like there is no one watching. It says I have the right to enjoy myself.
Humor, laughter and play may not change a broken world, but it will make the broken world more bearable.
Reflection: Look for the humor in situations and remember not to take yourself too seriously.
Today’s Practice: Write yourself a permission slip to have fun. You have the right to enjoy yourself!