Laugh More – Mar. ’06

Get ready to laugh! Last year at this time I woefully whined to you how much I missed April Fools Day and its celebration of humor. It seems to me we could use that national endorsement of laughter to publicly affirm how important humor is to our mental health. There’s just so much in the world, and in our own lives, to feel anxious or sad about that our brains could use the rest that a good laugh gives it. If you feel like there’s not much in your life to draw from at the moment, check out a good joke book from the library to get your belly started. Spend more time in the “comedy” section of the video store. Situations that make you angry or anxious or fearful can sometimes be seen from a different, even humorous perspective. It’s hard to see at the time, but practicing this “lighten up” approach gives you some ammunition when s— happens.