Monthly Mental Health Moment: April 2022
Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
That is what the adage tells us.
Certainly laughter helps us feel better and brightens our day.
Science has found both immediate and long-term benefits of laughing. Laughter decreases tension, relieves stress, decreases negative thoughts and has many other benefits. We have our own expert on laughter here at Penn State, Dr. Ritika Baweja.
April is humor month! A great time to consider laughter, jokes, and fun. Or think about Gelotology—the science of laughter. Even that word makes me smile. I think it sounds like the study of gelato.
For example, “How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?”
Stumped? Read on!
“One, but the lightbulb has to really want to change!”
Humor but also a truth. We can only change if we want to make the effort. Effort – that sounds hard. Perhaps, the first way to start is to make small simple changes. Start by finding a way to put more joy and humor in your life!
Watch a funny movie or Youtube video. I am partial to ones with baby goats.
Share funny memes in your friend or work group. Many mornings our Office sends humorous or motivational memes for the day. It adds a smile to the day and keeps us connected.
Try laughter meditation. Sit, get comfortable, breath. Now visualize an image of something that you think is funny. Hold it in your mind. As laughter and joy bubbles up, let it flow through your body. Now pick another fun image.
Smile more. Smiling isn’t laughter but it can still make us feel better. It can also make those around us feel better. What makes you more comfortable—standing next to someone who looks angry or someone who is smiling?
Here’s laughing with you!
Best,
Martha Peaslee Levine, MD
Director, Office for Professional Mental Health
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In This Month's Newsletter
L imericks.
A ctivates 400 muscles!
U plifts our mood
G esundheit Institute
H a Ha Ho Ho Hee Hee Hee
T ickles
E ndorphins!
R iddles
The Laughter Prescription: A Tool for Lifestyle Medicine
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
Volume 10, Issue 4, July/August
2016, Pages 262-267
Penn State College of Medicine
Office for Professional Mental Health
500 University Drive, Suite C1746
Hershey, PA 17033
717-531-8658
pmh@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
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