That feeling when all your sensations are ready to let go and just be. When the laughter takes you by surprise and there is no stopping it. When your mind stops thinking about everything all at once and decides to take a break with contagious laughter. When your lungs are so ready for this roller coaster of exercise, it's all worth it. It's probably the best kind of exercise you can give your lungs; running's good too, but laughter is unlike any other fleshly sensation. When all the tension releases and you're almost feeling as though a high, a high on life. Completely natural and finally able to enjoy the little things for just a moment. Your belly starts to hurt because of the laughter, it's so extreme. You don't even know why you're laughing at this point, but all that matters is you are and that is all your body is enjoying at this very moment. The moment ends and reality, unfortunately, realigns itself.
It's like this contagious combustion of feels that encompass your whole being, your entire state. It's almost as indescribable as that sneeze you finally let out after so long. It's truly pleasureful. It's as though your body has physically decided it's time to stop being serious and gag a little. Why do we take so long to allow the toxins to be released? Laughter is part of the human emotion; Jesus created it for a reason. He wants us to be filled with the wonder of his creation, he wants us to explore the happiness He put inside of us. We are human and we've been given these emotions for a purpose.
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D.
In a world full of gloom and darkness, where brokenness is on every page of the newspaper, on every day of the news, every article in your magazine, and all over social media, we must overcome. In a world where humanity is fallen and wars break out, where children starve, soldiers die, and families are torn apart, being able to still find joy is vital. Jesus created us to feel. He created us to feel and have empathy toward one another, mourn while another mourns and laugh while your brother is joyful in happiness. In a world where sadness can sweep away a whole village and encounter a whole family, we must remember that Jesus created us to feel. Not to simply hide our innermost emotions, but display them in a time and place for everything.
Allowing yourself to laugh is scientifically proven to improve your health. To allow yourself the ability to feel the enjoyment and happiness your body intentionally craves is so extremely necessary. Laughter is actually proven to relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed up to 45 minutes. It also is proven to boost your immune system. Believe it or not, laughter decreases stress hormones while increasing immune cells, which then produce antibodies, which improves your resistance to disease. Did you know that laughter also triggers the release of endorphins? Endorphins are the body's natural feel-good chemicals. They promote an overall sense of well-being and can temporarily relieve pain. Can laughing be our best medicine? And lastly, it is said that laughing also protects the heart, improving the function of blood vessels and increasing blood flow; helping you to protect against a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems.
Physiologically, laughter is proven to reduce stress while increasing energy levels, therefore enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. Laughter is also proven to be a social integrator, improving the environment with a positive and optimistic atmosphere. Sharing laughter is said to be one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting; who wants to be in a relationship where laughter doesn't exist? Laughter invites warmth, which is where humanity may be found most content. Statistically, incorporating humor and play into your daily interactions can improve the quality of love for relationships, whether that's your connections with co-workers, family members, or friends.
"There is a time to break down, in a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; The time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together" - Ecclesiastes 3
Jesus was procreation from the get-go, He wanted us to enjoy, to love and laugh with one another, and if we take life too seriously every moment we breathe, we're going to get tired real fast. If we could only learn to just enjoy every and each moment we are given, to learn to laugh at the little things and maybe even some of the big ones, then maybe our lives could be a little less stressful. Maybe we could be a little more grateful, maybe a little more thankful for the things He's given us to laugh about in this life.
