It could be just me but laughter seems to cure all, doesn’t it?

There’s the subtle “ha” with a grin. There’s the not-so-subtle “hee haw”, where you’re getting wide-eyed looks from strangers and uncontrollably throwing in a snort or two. There’s the gut turning howl. There’s the tears streaming down your face laugh. There’s the sarcastic chuckle when nothing else could possibly go wrong. There’s the 8 minute “I can’t breathe” heave.

We could be hanging out with our friends, watching a movie, or we might catch someone running into a pole while making sure they’re fully up to date on Instagram (laughing not at their expense, of course). It doesn’t matter how or when it happens, or in what form or setting, but it always does one thing. It makes us feel good.

I’m not sure there’s enough ways to describe the impact laugher has on us. Is there meaning behind it? Benefits? Is it weird to seek laughter out? Should we be trying to figure out why rosy cheek John Candy’s iconic laugh puts us at ease? (Please tell me you’ve seen Planes, Trains, and Automobiles)

The moments spent laughing with a group of close friends, those are everything. You know what I’m talking about? That feeling when you’re fully engaged in the present moment, free of stress, free of the latest disappointment, where your mind is completely clear because of pure enjoyment? All that while you’re trying to catch your breath. Those moments are what keep us connected. We utilize friendship and laughter to have fun, relieve stress, and get out of our head. It’s what alleviates tension and reduces our blood pressure. It seems impossible to be stressed out when you’re laughing. Did you know there is something called laughter yoga? Me either. But I do know yoga has its health benefits, and the two together seem…..awkward. Hey I can’t knock something until I’ve tried it. Bucket list.

Remember those waves we talked about recently? During some of waves I experienced, I sort of lost site of the importance of laughter. It didn’t seem to come naturally anymore. I felt like a shell of myself socially, and began to use certain circumstances as excuses. I wasn’t enjoying the little things anymore, which in turn made both the little and big things worse. I was in need of one of those Zen moments along the lines of chill out and enjoy, man (Jeff Bridges voice, of course).

Laughter has a ton of health benefits too, including relieving stress, reducing anxiety, improving optimism, and get this. Deep laughter can improve our breathing. Those gut turning howls can increase your heart rate and oxygen consumption, which means only two things:

1. People who bring out the natural joy, laughter, and energy in you is who you should be spending a majority of your time with. People who are bringing the best out in you. People who you can have meaningful conversations with that you learn and grow from. Those same people should also be able to laugh uncontrollably with you, belt Whitney Houston with you, cry laughing at the pictures of those 9 year old haircuts, and above all dance in that kitchen together. Because it’s legitimately healthy.

2. We don’t have to go to the gym anymore (fist pump).

You know what one of my favorite parts about laughter is? It occurs unconsciously. You don’t decide to do it. You don’t force laughter. It would be extremely uncomfortable if you did. Laughter is natural and contagious. Socially it puts people at ease and tends to cut the tension when you’re meeting new people.

Quick side story: In college a group of about 25 of us went to a new comedy movie that was out. There were small groups within the overall group that were close, and we had just met the others. The theater was packed. From the opening scene one of guys in another group just starts losing it. The movie is sarcastic and hilarious don’t get me wrong, but he couldn’t take it. Every little facial expression or subtle line the dude was busting out. He had a high pitched laugh and started wheezing. Everyone loved this guys laugh, he had one of THOSE laughs you don’t forget. I may be speaking for all of us, but the best part of that night was looking over and listening to this dude lose it. He was fully enjoying the moment. We all were. He put the entire group at ease with his laugh alone. We went out for a beer (or two) afterwards and all grew closer. We also happened to play a specific song from the movie we had just watched, only about 32 times that night. I’ll never forget.

It seems silly to not put ourselves in the best position to feel at ease and laugh as much as we can, doesn’t it? Laughter makes us feel happy, calm, and lifts us up when we may need it. It’s not tense, or stressful, or forced. When we’re surrounded by the people close to us and in those moments together, it’s just right. I believe we can all continue to focus on surrounding ourselves with those special people. Like our friend in the movie theater, or your sister who you can fight with now and laugh about it later, or the buddy you have toddy’s with on the back porch every Thursday. Those moments are where we find a little bit of Zen. Those moments are where we find the true power of laughter.

So here’s to laughter. Here’s to those times we lose it. Here’s to finding it hard to breathe. Here’s to the nights we needed it. Here’s to surrounding ourselves with those people. Here’s to John Candy.

Laughter cures all.