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Stress Busters and Immune Boosters: Laugh Often

MJS counselors: Maria Hodge, PhD and Susan Reedy, MA, LMFT
This article is Part Two in a series written by our Mayfield Junior School Counselors to provide support for our community while we are adjusting to the temporary changes of how we live and do school in the time of Covid-19. 

Laugh Often
 
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
 
My favorite sound in the world is the sound of my children laughing. Their pure, happy giggles of delight, their strong belly laughs at something hilarious...this fills my heart with joy and sometimes even makes my eyes water a little at the wonder of their smiling faces. When my children are happy, I am happy, and I have the feeling that all is right in the world, even if it is falling apart a little bit around us. I have an assuring, steady sense that goodness and joy are stronger than the challenges we face and that we are up to the task of whatever may come our way in life.
 
Children are naturally gifted with laughter. However, as we get older, we often begin to lose our tendency to laugh. William F. Fry, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University observed, “The average Kindergartener laughs 300 times a day while the average adult laughs only 17 times a day.” This is a serious problem folks! Laughter is essential for the quality of our lives, especially during times of stress and uncertainty.
 
We have often heard the phrase, “Laughter is good medicine.” Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of humor and laughter. Here are some of the positive results they have found:
 
Physiological Effects
  • Reduces cortisol, increases immune functioning and improves overall health
  • Relaxes our body and even burns a few calories!
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Increases our ability to tolerate pain / lowers pain perception
  • Increase cardiovascular functioning
Psychological Effects
  • Reduces our experience of stress
  • Increases our energy and ability to focus
  • Improves our mood
  • Changes our perspective and increases optimism and hope
  • Helps us view challenges more creatively and solve problems with greater mental flexibility
  • Increases resilience in stressful situations
  • Reduces anxiety and depression
Interpersonal Effects
  • Strengthens bonds between people
  • Makes us more attractive to others
  • Magnifies the effects of laughter when others are present
  • Calms anger when there is conflict
So what can we do to cultivate more humor and laughter in ourselves and our family?
 
Here are some ideas:
 
Host a Family Funny Dinner Night
  • Have each member dress “funny” for dinner and share a humorous story about something that happened during the day or week. Prep your kids a few days in advance so they have time to be on the lookout for funny events and collect material.
  • Another variation is to have everyone share their most embarrassing moment. This teaches children the important coping skill of how to find humor in uncomfortable situations and learn to laugh at themselves.
Keep a Funny Family Journal
  • Create a journal that is dedicated to recording all of the funny things family members say and do. One of our family’s favorite memories is the time that my daughter (who is now 17) was four and we were at the beach. She held up her sandy hands and asked me, “Mommy, does God have sand in his hands?” I asked her, “Why do you ask that?” And she replied, “Because he has the whole world in his hands!” She had just learned that song and thought she was so funny to come up with that! It made us all laugh! Kids love to hear stories about themselves, and sharing these types of memories helps them to create an identity where they see themselves as having a great sense of humor.
Take Funny Photos
  • Capture your family, pets and friends doing silly things that make you smile. Save these memories in a family photo book to keep on your coffee table or frame your favorites and decorate your home with them. Surround your family with happy pictures that they see all the time that make them laugh!
Play Hair and Make-up Studio
  • Have your kids style your hair and/or do your make-up one day. You might be blown away by your new look!
Have a Family Comedy Night
  • Watch a funny movie together. Toss popcorn in each other’s mouths!
  • Play a funny game like Charades.
  • Have a stand up comedy night where everyone gets up in front of the family and tells a funny story or joke. Prep younger kids ahead of time by helping them learn a few jokes to tell. Film this because it will be great for memories!
  • If you want a to enjoy a laugh about the Coronavirus news, my new personal favorite is The Daily Social Distancing Show: Day 1 | The Daily Show (appropriate for older children and adults)
Read Comic Books or Silly Books Together
  • Some of our favorites are Calvin and Hobbes and Baby Blues, or Shel Silverstein’s Runny Babbit
Be Silly with Your Kids!
  • Splash in puddles and see who can drench each other the most
  • Have a water gun fight with super soakers
  • When the toilet paper crisis is over, decorate each other like mummies. But maybe save the toilet paper afterwards, just in case!
  • Watch your children and see what makes them laugh! And do more of that!
Laugh Instead of Getting Angry or Worried
  • Look for the humor in situations. This will teach your children a great life skill.
  • Remember the quote by the author and poet Langston Hughes, “Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.”
 
Serendipitously, today is National Let’s Laugh Day, “a 24 hour joke fest where we enjoy the uniting force of laughter!” If you watch today’s FB live stream of Morning Prayer with Mr. Sciouto and the MJS Student Services team, you will hear Mrs. Vradenburg tell corny jokes in honor of Father Allen, our beloved priest who always makes us laugh with his funny stories. So please check that out with your family for an additional laugh today and continue our tradition of morning prayer as a school, albeit virtually. Facebook Live Stream Morning Prayer - 3/19/20
 
I have often reflected on the Proverbs 31 woman and all of the attributes that I aspire to cultivate in myself. In the midst of these uncertain times, this is the part that speaks to me right now:
 
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”
(Prov. 31:25 - 26, NLT)
 
My prayer for all of us parents is that we learn to laugh without fear of the future and teach our children to do the same, because we are confident in our God who has a purpose and a plan for all of us. And Lord, if you would, please help me as I homeschool my own three children and try my very best to speak with wisdom and give them instructions with kindness!
 
 
Here are some resources on laughter and creating more joy in your family life:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Additionally here are some resources we recommend for talking with your children about the coronavirus:
 
And a new helpful infographic by Safe Kids, Inc: Five Ways to Discuss COVID19 With Kids
 
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Mayfield Junior School

405 South Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101   626.796.2774
Located in Pasadena, California, Mayfield Junior School of the Holy Child Jesus is a K-8 Catholic coeducational private school. Our kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school experience best prepares students for high school education and beyond.