Monday, June 27, 2011

good deeds ~ have you laughed today?

okay, this is going to be my good deed for the week - sharing with you the importance of laughter and then {hopefully!} making you laugh right here, right now.  what an important cause!

first of all, isn't laughing weird?
think about it, when you like something so much, and it pleases you in such a specifically delightful way, you shake and convulse and noise comes out of your throat {and sometimes nose}.
weird!

but i'm so glad we can laugh because it's absolutely positively good for you, physically, mentally and emotionally.  some studies even suggest that laughter increases your life span.  woo-hoo!  a therapist friend of mine teaches laughter yoga, which i can't wait to try one of these days.  do any of you practice this?  if you have never seen laughter yoga you must check out this hilarious and informative clip.  how can life get you down when you face it with a little laughter?

here are some fun facts about laughing: 
* laughter releases and reduces the stress chemicals in the brain.
* it increases the cells that produce antibodies, giving you a stronger immune system.
* it exercises the diaphragm, your heart, and your abs, back and shoulder muscles.
* laughing helps to distract you from the negative and shifts your focus to more positive outcomes.
* laughter provides great bonding experiences with others.

it's interesting to me that a lot of us laugh when we're nervous or overwhelmed in addition to being happy.  i think that just goes to show it's a natural way our bodies react in order to make things better.  so go ahead and let it all out through laughing!  

having trouble? here, let's see if i can help with that....

***

or how about hyperbole and a half's problem with being an adult?
i'm pretty sure she wrote this after shadowing me for a week.
{ouch, my stomach!}

***

of course there's always a lot of funnies to be had with making charts out of song lyrics:
{90's and rick astley}

this one has terrible quality, but still funny:


***  

and of course, wickedly bleeping out favorite sesame street clips.
i don't know how many times i've seen this and it still makes me laugh!
{let's be honest, this song was just asking for it.}

***

so did those work? i hope so.
now let's see how many of us can pay it forward by helping others laugh today, okay?
okay!

28 comments:

  1. i love laughing!! it definitely always puts you in a better mood! i will make it my goal to laugh more this week! :)

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  2. Okay, I'm trying to be quiet because I'm still in my friend's SF apartment and she's asleep, but I was totally giggling. Laughter is so healing and I can't wait to do more of it as I see people this week.

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  3. Aw, I love it! How I Met Your Mother may be my favorite tv show currently and Marshall is the BEST. I loved the yoga laughter video too. I think it would be great to find a way to get involved in some of that here. :)

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  4. Laughing is one of the simplest ways to lift a mood! And interestingly enough, humans are the only ones capable of laughter. I think there's a reason for that ;) I'll do my best to make lame jokes today to make people laugh :)

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  5. Hahahaha goo job making me laugh!

    - Sarah
    http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for the laughs! I laughed so hard last night my abs are sore this morning. I love that!

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  7. Oh my god! That Rick Astley chart is awesome!

    Last night Dylan was laughing so hard he literally fell over. Which made him laugh even more.

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  8. Ah, yes, How I Met Your Mother is an instant dose of very-important laughter. Such a little gem!

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  9. I nee to get laughing...neeeeeeds a stronger immune system. That's a cool fact!

    xo,
    C

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  10. ha!! i love the office:) all of those little clips and images cracked me up! you have certainly lifted my spirits today, sweet friend! and what TRUTH! laughter is truly medicine for the soul:) have a beautiful, blessed day!

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  11. love this post! laughter is so important, love it.

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  12. Laughter is my most favorite thing ever. That's a big statement, but I stand by it. Great post.

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  13. laughter is the way to go! a day without a laugh is a day that i want nothing to do with! seriously!

    p.s. when i was a kid my dad could NOT understand why i was always looking for a laugh. it drove him out of his mind. he is rather serious and could stand to lighten up.

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  14. Laughing is so very important isn't it?

    Also i love Marshall.

    Also also, I am not one for pimping out my blog (usually), but I hosting a handmade (by me!) giveaway, and I'd really like you to win it - although to be fair, you have less use for this item than most living in LA...hmm.

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  15. Even though sometimes my laugh embarrasses me I still love laughing =-)

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  16. haha that sesame clip is my absolute favourite,when i first heard it some time ago my sister and i learnt it off by heart and went around singing it we loved it so much. :) thanks for bringing laughter into my day. also loved the rick astley joke xxxxx

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  17. Thank you for these - what a perfect post for a Monday! I LOVE Marshall and his graphs!!!

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  18. at my old university, the hospital had a program where they worked with patients in laughing clinics! and it helped patients so much. How neat that a physical reaction that our body has, is such a healthy thing for us:)
    Neat post, Kimbirdy:)
    xo
    L

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  19. Considering how important laughter is, I do not laugh enough! Thanks for this, Kim! I loved the Rick Astley image and the graph video got a few smirks out of me, too. Also.. I just watched Pay it Forward for the first time a couple days ago so I love that you used that as your ending point.

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  20. love it!!! I laugh all the time in general, but notice I laugh when I'm nervous too. I think you're right in that it's a natural reaction from our bodies. Love this post...literally LOLing.

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  21. Love this post, laughter is definitely the best medicine!

    http://www.badjoan.blogspot.com

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  22. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the most wonderful way to start a morning: laughter :)

    Haven't yet seen the Count clip but will have to watch later.

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  23. I actually think life without laughter would be too dull for words. I hope I laugh everyday. I have been cracking up at work of all places these days. Hope you are well.

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  24. serious snorting and guffaws were had here. thanks, lady!

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  25. awesome post. ahh whenever I need a laugh I turn to the Antoine Dodson phenomenon. He's a genuis, so catchy

    On the news - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520

    The remix - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqd1OUFxBP4&feature=related

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  26. laughter is always been a best medicine have you laugh today if not then please smile :) i like your post thanks

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