They'll Remember Your Laugh by Betsy Ringer

Laughter is good medicine for the body, mind and soul.  Proverbs 17:22 says so. And modern research confirms that a good belly laugh and even a giggle reduces stress, protects our heart, strengthens the immune system and increases our pain threshold! 

The movie, “Patch Adams” is based on a doctor who is still practicing medicine today. He prescribes and uses laughter as a healing agent.  Laughter helps clear toxins from organs and circulates oxygen in our bodies.  Oxygen is a primary catalyst for biological energy necessary for good health.  It helps destroy cancer cells, parasites, and bacteria.

I speak to many groups about Laughter and I find that most of us need to be reminded that our families will not remember how clean the house was but they will remember our laugh.  We live in a society that believes the lie that busy people are important. We try to cram 30 hours of living into a 24 hour day. 90% of doctor visits are stress related.  It seems that most of us can benefit from a dose of hearty laughter!

When my kids were very young we started a Mother’s Day tradition.  I thought we didn’t need one more holiday where we went out to eat and bought a gift. I announced that Mother’s Day would be our first picnic and hike of the season!  We have built many wonderful family memories of Mother’s Day outings!  We have had our picnic in the car due to cold and rain; we have explored beautiful waterfalls; and we have had many, MANY laughing episodes!

Laughter seems to bubble up when we are doing something we enjoy.  Here are a few ideas to set the stage for some great belly laughs:

1. How about some simple activities to stimulate laughter?  Try Corn Hole, cards (we like Phase 10), or games (like Apples to Apples).
   
2. Prepare a meal together and eat outside at a leisurely rate.  Start with simple appetizers (chips and salsa) and non-alcoholic “Sangria” - Sprite and grape juice with orange, lemon and lime slices on top.
   
3. Do an activity together: walk at a local nature preserve, take a hearty hike (we like hiking up creeks and we all eventually get wet), or a play a game of “Horse” at the basketball net.
   
4. And of course, turn up the “Laughter Dial” in your own mind and spirit.  Anticipate a good giggle and you won’t be disappointed!  Let the sparkle in your eye shine through.
   

So whether it’s Mother’s Day, a holiday or an activity you’re planning, be sure to incorporate the laughter.  Relationships are oh so much sweeter when we include a loving dose of laughter!

Now it's your turn. Please share about a time when your family laughed together or a great activity that brings the family together.  We really want to hear!