The Power of Laughter - #ShareALaugh
- celebratemilife
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Updated: May 2
How Sharing a Smile Can Boost Mental Health (For You & Others)
and raise money to bring hope and healing to those that are hurting.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I wanted to talk to you about something that is completely free, very contagious, and really good for you: LAUGHTER!
It not only feels good, it actually has some amazing health benefits for both your mind and body.
A few years ago, we did a #ShareALaugh campaign, and I made a video laughing with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Our fake, silly laughs quickly turned into uncontrollable laughter that was both obnoxious and contagious. We started to genuinely laugh out loud. It was one of those moments you just want to bottle up and keep forever. And now we do!
What we didn't know at the time, was how precious that video would become. My sister-in-law passed away shortly after. Now that video is more than just a funny memory. It's a way for us to hear her laugh, again and again, anytime we want to feel connected to her, and to remember the abundance of joy she brought into our lives. Because even in the toughest times, laughter can be a source of comfort and healing.
I want you to stop and think about the last time you had a really good laugh. Belly shaking, eyes tearing up, and you can barely breathe. Remember how good you felt? Feel free to share that with us in the comments.
Laughter is a natural stress reliever. It lowers those nasty stress hormones like cortisol and pumps up the good ones, like endorphins.
Studies show that even fake or short bursts of laughter can:
improve your mood
reduce tension
ease your anxiety
relax muscles
boost your immune system
protect your heart
help you manage physical or emotional pain
reduce stress
increase feelings of joy
strengthen social connection(s)
It’s can be like a mini-workout for your whole body, but a lot more fun!
But the power of laughter doesn't stop there. Think about those moments when you're faced with a challenging situation. Maybe someone cuts you off in traffic, or you get some feedback that you didn’t ask for. In those stressful moments, consciously choosing to laugh can be surprisingly helpful. It can instantly take the edge off your own frustration and lower your stress.
Laughter allows you to respond with a clear mind and more logical solutions. Instead of letting these things build up or letting everyone become more aggressive, giving a little chuckle can sometimes catch the other person off guard. It can help ease the tension or help to create an unexpected connection.
Or, if you are like my husband, a smile or laugh can hilariously disarm someone who is trying to get under your skin. It could piss them off even more, but it can flip the script, giving you more control over the situation and your reactions. So, next time someone tries to upset you, just laugh it away.
If you won’t laugh for yourself, do it for someone else. A loved one; a stranger that needs to feel a moment of peace in their life. Laughter isn't just good for you, it's also a powerful way to connect and to help others. Sharing a laugh can strengthen relationships, diffuse tension, and create a sense of community, all while making you feel good. And that's something we could all use a little more of.
So, for #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, I challenge you to Share A Laugh! Simply record a video of yourself laughing. It can be alone or with a group. Don’t be afraid of what you may sound like; the worse the laugh, the more cheer it spreads. You might be surprised at how much it brightens your day – or someone else’s!
If you don’t feel comfortable faking it and you need a boost, find something that makes you laugh. Whether it's a silly video, a funny meme, or a good old-fashioned dad joke.
We have also decided to make this a fundraising campaign. If these giggles helped to brighten your day, you can make a donation to help us grow our efforts in bringing resources and support to those that are hurting. You can view our Funds page to learn more about us and how we use the money, as well as make your donation:
So please, help us grow this campaign and remember that sometimes, laughter is the best medicine.
Simply record a video of yourself laughing, alone or with a group, share it to your profile with the hashtags #ShareALaugh and #MiLIFE and tag us @CelebrateMiLIFE. You can also copy and paste this post to ask for donations from your viewers.
COPY & PASTE:
As part of MiLIFE's Share A Laugh campaign, I decided to record myself laughing to bring a little joy into the world for Mental Health Awareness Month. If this helped to brighten your day, please consider donating to the @CelebrateMiLIFE cause to bring hope and support to those that are hurting. Visit their Fuds page to learn more and make your contribution at https://www.celebratemilife.org/funds #ShareALaugh #MiLIFE #MentalHealthMay
Are you ready to share some joy and spread the laughter? 😄 Join our Share a Laugh campaign and follow us to see others doing the same @CelebrateMiLIFE on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok
CONTEST ALERT:
For the month of May ONLY, we are doing a contest. You will automatically receive 1 entry per week for each Share A Laugh video posted (you must copy & paste our caption above). Also, you will automatically receive 1 entry per week for every $10 you donate. Deadline is the end of the day Saturday of each week (5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31). A name will be drawn at random, every Sunday, for a $20 Visa Gift Card.
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