Like many of you, I am still sheltering at home. I can’t leave except to run a vital errand, and I can’t interact with people face to face, which is a challenge for me. Cabin fever has officially set in; I feel confined within my home and I’m getting irritable. Those who know me well are likely thinking “how is that different than normal?” Jerks!! I would use stronger language, but this is a PG’ish blog.
Our interactions these days have been limited to video conferencing for work and smiling back at the growling people in the grocery store. To help break up the monotony of staying at home, I have been attending various social video meetings; I have participated in several happy hours and I even hosted a cigar smoking get together as a means to socialize with others since we can’t do it in person. No matter which kind of meeting it is, I’ve noticed that my mood improves after being able to virtually catch up, laugh and have fun together.
Laughter is important and has many benefits:
- According to the Mayo clinic, laughter boosts your immune system. They are way smarter than me, so it must be true.
- Laughter increases oxygen in the body and helps your organs, which is good as oxygen bars are closed. Yes, that is a thing.
- Laughter burns calories. Enough said.
- Laughing with others deepens relationships, though laughing at others may have the opposite effect. Just saying!
- Laughter improves your mood. I could use some mood improvement, especially when I realize I’ve run out of toilet paper…that is not a laughing matter (or is it?!)
So, as we continue to stay at home in our pajamas, sweats, yoga pants or practice kalsarikännit (yes, that is a word and a thing in Finland), may I suggest that we laugh even if we don’t experience anything funny. Just laugh . And I don’t mean the chuckle type…I mean the kind that makes your belly hurt and brings tears to your eyes, like my picture. No, this isn’t the cabin fever talking, laughing for no reason may actually give you a reason to laugh! Not to mention that laughter is contagious; others may see you do it and join in.
“A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.” — Carolyn Birmingham
Have ROFLMFAO weekend. Guess what the 2nd “F” stands for? So much for being PG’ish. ?
Vijay