Laughter - the Best Medicine

Had your daily laugh yet?

If you must find a habit to get hooked on, make sure it's to have at least one good laugh everyday.

There is a growing body of evidence that says laughing is beneficial to our health - and it's free. So go on: have a laugh!

There are so many opportunities, whether it's having a laugh with your friends, or collapsing in front of the TV after a long day at work and watching a comedy film. Or even going out to a comedy club and supporting new stand-up talent!

But however you decide to do it, make it your spiritual quest to find a laugh each and every day.

Laughter and Health

Nature's medicine

Laughter has for a long time been considered a good way to relieve stress and generally improve well-being. That's why you might hear phrases like, 'Laughter is the best medicine'. Or even, 'Don't worry, be happy'.

But commonly held belief and scientific fact are two entirely different things. It is only fairly recently that research has confirmed the therapeutic effects of humor and laughter. Some of the benefits include strengthening of the immune system, reducing food cravings, and increased pain threshold! For more information, read Elizabeth Scott's article here.

Chuckling away stress

Multiple benefits of a good old belly laugh

In the stressed out 21st century, the benefits to us all of laughing can be divided into several areas:

Hormone regulation - cortisol and adrenaline are reduced, while increasing endorphin levels
Physical release
Abdominal workout - yes, it's true apparently, you don't have to go down the gym and do all those sit-ups now. Just pop in the Simpsons DVD and giggle away the flab!
Distraction - from things which stress us out, and the dreaded 'internal chatter'.
Social benefits - laughter, like the plague, is contagious, and likely to lift the mood of everyone!

Medicine time

Eye of the beholder

When words are not necessary

Here are some great vidclips that make me laugh. I hope you like them too, but there are many types of humor and, thankfully, everybody is an individual with their own tastes. I've tried to vary the styles, and this first section is about pure visual humor.

The Infamous 'Mirror Scene'

From Duck Soup

I've loved this scene ever since I was a kid, especially when they dance the Charleston! I can't help myself - I just laugh at this everytime.

Marx Brothers Mirror Scene

Groucho and harpo at it

Runtime: 2:50
78123 views
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Classic Comedy Sketches

The 1948 Show to Monty Python

The next couple of examples are fairly new to me. I saw a small section of The Four Yorkshiremen on a show on TV - one of those 'Top 100' shows.

The Monty Python Brain Surgery clip was introduced to me by a friend where I used to work. Oh, Mr Gumby. What a style guru!

Both scripted, the Four Yorkshiremen sketch very cleverly, the Brain Surgery one being more about the style of delivery!

The Four Yorkshiremen

From the 1948 Show

I like surreal humor, especially when it is borne out of astonishingly ludicrous over-exaggeration! This clip has had me wiping away tears of laughter.

four yorkshire men

four yorkshire men the 1948 show

Runtime: 4:12
74870 views
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My brain hurts!

From Monty Python

Exaggeration again! This time visually rather than verbally. Soooo ridiculous!!

D. P. Gumby - My Brain Hurts!

Classic Monty Python sketch featuring the Gumbies!

Runtime: 3:21
269359 views
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Got the giggles?

Corpsing at its contagious best

This section is devoted to the not-so-subtle art of corpsing - that is, breaking character and laughing, usually at the worst possible moment! In the US, according to Wiki, the more commonly applied term is breaking face.

This type of clip is guaranteed to make me laugh. It reminds me of times at school in English, when we had to read aloud. I had a fool sitting next to me trying to make me laugh, and get me into trouble!

I think this section is probably best summed up by one word: schadenfreude.

zzzzZZZZzzzz

Too early for this!

German weathergirl Maxi Biewe absolutely loses it during her forecast, having caught the shot of her colleague fast asleep!
The Australian weather presenter probably wouldn't have been laughing though. Ouch!

German weather girl can't stop laughing

news blooper: German weather presenter in fit of laughter during her report. Maxi Beaver Also ABC Australia weather girl Elizabeth Wilson passes out whilst doing the weather report

4.74

Runtime: 1:29
316566 views
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Yikes! These shoes are murder!

And the newsreaders nearly die laughing

The things girls do for fashion! I probably shouldn't say it, but the model should have just collapsed in a graceful heap. This was made funnier by her trying desperately to stay on her feet.

News reader cannot stop laughing at model falling over!

This has to be seen to know why hes laughing so much, its so funny!!

Runtime: 1:29
2671448 views
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Let us all lie down for our National Anthem

Next line, please?

I'm afraid this one made me cringe. Yikes! Corpsing doesn't always mean bursting into fits of laughter; it can mean this as well:

Girl HUMILIATES herself at Ice Hockey Game

First, she forgets the words to the US National Anthem. Then secondly....hee hee. The crowd go nuts! (as you would)

4.69

Runtime: 0:47
928388 views
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Turkey overdose

From sublime to plain ridiculous

And then we arrive at the comedic event horizon of idiocy. It's really just another case of laughing at them rather than with them! Game shows! Don't you just love 'em?

Old MacDonald had a farm...

...with a gobble, gobble, gobble!

This is a clip from a UK version of Family Fortunes. I actually saw this episode when it aired! Wow! I must be getting old. But I do remember literally rolling on the floor laughing at this guy! And I remember the tears and the not being able to take a breath for laughing!

UK Family Fortunes "Turkey" episode

Guy gives turkey for 3 answers because he heard someone from the other team say it as an answer, but didn't know which question it went to

Runtime: 0:53
139641 views
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Oh that old chestnut?

'Green' jokes

I thought I'd drop in a clip which shows a gag that has been used numerous times before - a recycled or 'green' joke. Think of The Simpsons' Mr Sparkle with Homer phoning Japan from the Public Library...or Bart phoning the Southern Hemisphere to find out which way the water swirls down the sink and/or lavatory. Same joke - enjoy!

I broke my fingers and need an ambulance!

At least I only have to dial 999 (or 911)

This is an age-old joke wrapped up in a cute musical jingle, and the gap before the last digit is a nice touch!

ArtSiren note: I've literally just seen a re-run of an old Simpsons episode where Homer set up his own security force called 'Spring Shield' - his TV ad had a normal phone number, but with the gap before the last digit. Funny how all the same old jokes get recycled!

The IT Crowd - New Emergency Number

Moss learning about the new and easy to remember Emergency Number =D

Runtime: 1:27
181165 views
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Vote Down

The National Anthem

Taking it lying down.0 points

Hope you had a good laugh and enjoyed your visit here!

Let me know about YOUR favorite funny clips, or just say 'Hi'

siete

laughter is the best medicine :) -well everybody knows that- maybe you could include blue collar TV. they just crack me up... Great idea by the way.

Posted September 17, 2008

debnet

Brilliant :)

Posted July 23, 2008

jasmineann

Great Fun Lens! Yes I had a good laugh here, thank you for that! Lensrolling to my "coping with the stress of back pain" lens as Laughter can be a good stress release. 5 stars and adding to faves :)

Posted July 20, 2008

WhiteOak50

Thank you for your nice comment on my Headache lens. I have heard about using the pressure points before on headaches but had forgotten. Thank you so much for adding that suggestion to the lens! I am not sure if you have seen but I have a group http://www.squidoo.com/groups/herbgardenofalternativehealing and would like to see this lens in there. I believe so strongly in Laughter being good medicine! Blessings.

Posted July 19, 2008

ArtSiren

Thanks for the comments folks! Susan, I've featured your Steptoe & Son lens. A very good comedy, possibly underrated, but great because the cast were serious actors!

Posted July 10, 2008