Laughing Thru Cancer

Laugh!

Laugh until you snort in delight, turn red and have tears rolling down your face!

Some might think I’ve lost my mind. After all cancer is serious matter, hardly an object of mirth.

I beg to differ.

Granted, laughter is not the first thing one thinks of when cancer invades your life. But it needs to be in the top ten activities for battling the Beast.

Decades ago, I read about a writer/editor named Norman Cousins, He was one of the first to recognize and positively incorporate humor into his treatment. I remember thinking I would do that too, should a potentially devastating disease ever strike me.

Research shows the advantages of laughter. They include:

• ·         Being a great cardiovascular workout.
• ·         Stimulates the nervous system and relieve some pain.
• ·         Reduces stress.
• ·         Intensifies good mental health.

Now that laughing has been established as being beneficial – what is the best kind?

Whatever you want.

Roar at the antics of certain modern-day comedians? Check out their touring schedules and buy tickets. Not feeling well enough for attending a show – there are usually a variety of different formats to enjoy instead.

Perhaps a certain comic tickles your funny bone or shows of cute baby animals. Hit the internet.

Thank goodness for YouTube and streaming media services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.  Often you can locate today’s humor-filled shows and better, at least for me, comedy classics of yesterday.

I can indulge in fast-witted repartee from 1930's movies to the 1960’s wholesomeness of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

I don’t feel like laughing, is often a comment among patients and sometimes caregivers.

Like taking your meds, and reporting to appointments take a daily dosage of humor. Consider it a complementary option to your other therapies. Even if you fake a laugh – do it. Guaranteed the situation’s ridiculousness will ease the path to a real laugh or at least a big grin.

Banish the blues, embrace the goodness of life and laugh.

As Benjamin Franklin wrote;

‘Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away.’