#3 - A universal cure-all!
Today's Mewsings explores laughter as medicine — no April Fools! Science confirms what Proverbs knew long ago: "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Discover why doctors might soon prescribe daily doses of humour alongside forest bathing. Your prescription awaits 😉 !
A UNIVERSAL CURE-ALL!
Nothing brightens up my day more than a jolly good laugh. Whatever teeth-gnashing episode might be going on in my life, a laugh will make me feel better at once. If no one's immediately around to create a little comedy, my well-worn copy of Stephen Pile's The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures comes off the shelf. It's a wonderful treasury of the absurd trials of human incompetence related with a deadpan commentary.
New Remedy
Never mind a shower a day
What about a laugh a day?
If laughter's the medicine
We need to take
Let's give ourselves
A happy break.
Being able to laugh at our failures can work magic. I find it an increasingly regular requirement! So what about doctors giving a prescription for laughter? The more liberal ones in Japan, Canada and the US have already spotted the need for 'forest bathing'. Which is basically spending more time in nature - and they're handing out a prescription for it.
It's time laughter had its place in medical protocol. Scholarly articles on its power can be found on line. It's got a great track record: improves heart health, reduces stress, eases pain and improves your immune system. What's not to like?
"A cheerful heart is a good medicine."
Even better, costs nothing and has no side effects. unless you have such an excellent bout that you end up with aching sides. In fact, it's not even a new idea - it was first mooted in the Bible in the collection of Proverbs 17.22 - ' A cheerful heart is a good medicine.'
It doesn't really need any recommendation does it?