Each week we change the words/quote/saying that we are displaying on the noticeboard in our kitchen; these are the words we try to live by individually and as a family that week. Some weeks may focus on lifting our mood, others may be about motivation or attitude to life; something that speaks to us on some level and that we can directly apply to our lives. Changing the words each week stops them from becoming just another thing you walk past without really seeing, it keeps things fresh and stops them losing their power. This series is where I share those words with you in the hope they may help you and your family too. If you a new to the series and want to learn more, you can read the first post here, or check out the Words To Live By tab in the top menu.

Life can be stressful and overwhelming at times. When you’re juggling a million demands on your time and the kids are making you tear your hair out, having a good laugh might be the furthest thing from your mind. But, it’s at times like this that laughter’s most needed.

Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Are you juggling a million to-do's? It's time you had a laugh, find out why in the post ...

How many times have the kids been driving you crazy and then all of a sudden they’ve done something that made you laugh. How did it change the way you felt? I’m going to hazard a guess here and say it lightened your mood. That for a few seconds, if not longer, all your troubles and stress melted away.

Laughter is an instant vacation. Milton Berle

The human mind is an incredible thing but sometimes it can run away with itself and we get stuck in a cycle of overthinking, stress and all round negativity. Laughter has the power to cut through that cycle and stop it in it’s tracks. When something makes us laugh our body responds. Endorphines are released, serotonin increases (the body’s natural antidepressant), we feel more energised. It acts like a master reset button, as long as we don’t then override it with more negativity.

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. Lord Byron

One of the best things about laughter, is it’s contagious nature. Seeing someone else laugh out loud can make us laugh too, even if we don’t know why they are laughing. I remember going to see American Pie when it first came out at the cinema. Obviously it’s a very funny film, but experiencing it in the cinema made it even funnier. Hearing other people laughing out loud, made us laugh even harder. The feeling in the cinema that night was like nothing I have ever experienced and will always stay with me.

There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour. Charles Dickens

I remember a video doing the rounds a couple of years ago showing contagious laughter on a train. If you check youTube there are so many you could get sucked in to watching them all so I’ve provided one for you here so you don’t have to:

No matter how hard life gets, if you can make time to laugh every day you can get through anything. There are many reasons why I love my husband, but one of the biggest has to be his sense of humour and ability to make me laugh. No matter how down I am feeling, he always knows how to lift me back up again, even in the hardest of times.

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the think I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person. Audrey Hepburn

Laughter isn’t just good for the mind and soul, it’s actually good for your health too.

People who laugh actually live longer than those who don't laugh. Few persons realise that health actually varies according to the amount of laughter. James J. Walsh

Aside from it being fun to have a good laugh, here are just a few of the benefits:

  • releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer
  • lowers blood pressure and keeps the heart healthy
  • improves breathing
  • helps you sleep better
  • speeds up the metabolism, helping you burn calories
  • improves your mood
  • reduces stress and anxiety
  • boost relationships
  • works your abs
  • boosts your immune system
  • boosts serotonin levels to help reduce depression
  • can increase memory and help with learning
  • make you look younger by giving those facial muscles a workout and improving blood flow
  • boost energy levels

A day without laughter is a day wasted. Charlie Chaplin

I certainly wouldn’t want any of you to waste your day, so here are a few gifs to get you started:

View post on imgur.com

And so began Timmy's lifelong hatred of mailmen - Imgur

Words To Live By will be taking another break for the next 4 weeks. I will still be blogging and present on social media but these particular posts take up a lot of my time and we have the Easter holidays coming up, followed the week after by my son’s birthday and the week after that there’s a possibility Keith (hubby) will be returning to Sea.

If you don’t want to miss hearing when the series will return you can enter your email below and I’ll keep you up to date. It will also give you access to my Freebies page with all the workbooks and printables I have created.

There’s no workbook this week as I don’t really think that’s the way to get you all laughing. I have created printables of all my favourite quotes about laughter though:

FREE Printable: 24 Awesome Quotes About The Power Of Laughter
Click to download

Have a great week everyone, and remember, everyone needs a good laugh:

giphy.com
Reflections From Me
Cuddle Fairy
3 Little Buttons
Tammymum

 

 

Hot Pink Wellingtons
You Baby Me Mummy
ethannevelyn.com
Mummy in a Tutu

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54 thoughts on “Words To Live By #21: Laugh Often, Laugh Loud

  1. Thank you for making my Monday happy and full of laughter. I don’t laugh nearly enough so your post made me feel great. Have a beautiful week with lots of fun and laughter. xx
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond recently posted…Over the Moon Link Party #67My Profile

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 7:22 am
  2. Definitely, words to live by and actions to take. Thanks for starting my Monday Morn with a chortle or two. After last weeks doldrums, I needed that! M’wah! #mg xoxo
    Lisa Pomerantz recently posted…My Uncles Ice Cream Shop!My Profile

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 11:13 am
  3. LOL, really. I laughed out loud sitting in my Office chair. Thanks for this on Monday morning. #mg

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 1:47 pm
  4. I love a good laugh and am happy to report that with two crazy dogs and a husband who has a good sense of humour, I get a lot of laughs. But a reminder always helps!

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 5:09 pm
  5. Hehe this made me laugh! So true, thank you! #mg

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 6:27 pm
  6. I do this! Laughter is the only reason I make it out of bed every day. #CandidCuddles
    Heather Keet recently posted…Poll Tuesday week 3…My Profile

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 8:31 pm
  7. Ok, you got me, I may have giggled at those gifs. It’s true, laughter is the best medicine.
    Anne recently posted…My Sunday Photo – 2nd April 2017My Profile

    Posted on 3 April, 2017 at 10:10 pm
  8. Lovely quotes. And such a strong and important message – laughter really is so therapeutic!
    #CandidCuddles
    Nicole – Tales from Mamaville recently posted…The Anatomy of a ToddlerMy Profile

    Posted on 4 April, 2017 at 12:28 am
  9. I’m back with the #DreamTeam linky!
    Heather Keet recently posted…Poll Tuesday week 3…My Profile

    Posted on 4 April, 2017 at 6:28 am
  10. oh gosh those clips made me laugh, the poor cat with the santa hat! Great post, absolutely made me happier reading this, have afab week lovely #mg

    Posted on 4 April, 2017 at 12:51 pm
  11. popping back from #candidcuddles

    Posted on 4 April, 2017 at 12:52 pm
  12. You are so right. A day without laughter feels like a right off.
    Looking forward to the words to live by return.
    #candidcuddles

    Posted on 4 April, 2017 at 2:26 pm
  13. This is so true! I like to think we laugh a lot but reading this has made me worry we don’t enough!! Generally though we are happy and carefree though so that counts for something doesn’t it!? Have a good few weeks for Easter and ‪Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky‬
    Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Play Doh! On #FamilyFunLinkyMy Profile

    Posted on 5 April, 2017 at 7:23 am
  14. Love the GIFs – especially the overly-enthusiastic baby! Laughter is so important – I’m so glad that my husband and my daughter can make me laugh on a daily basis. #FamilyFun
    The Squirmy Popple recently posted…Why do British babies cry so much?My Profile

    Posted on 5 April, 2017 at 12:18 pm
  15. The video of the child being pushed over by the newspaper being delivered made me laugh out load. Laughter is a great anti-depressant.

    If there is one tip I’d have for anyone looking for a spouse it to marry someone who makes you laugh. Marriage would be so much easier. Pen x #mg
    Pen recently posted…A personal note to a special personMy Profile

    Posted on 5 April, 2017 at 1:46 pm
  16. Oh I love this! The one piece of advice my Mum always gave me about relationships was to marry a man who makes you laugh, and I think she’s spot on with that! Also, I went to see Bad Moms at the cinema with a group of girl friends, and laughed so much more than I think I would’ve if I watched it at home alone, there really is something infectious about people laughing around you! x #CandidCuddles
    Madeline (This Glorious Life) recently posted…Fireman Sam – Sam’s birthday – DVD reviewMy Profile

    Posted on 5 April, 2017 at 9:51 pm
  17. One of my FAVE posts from this series – and that’s saying something. I started off feeling quite sad reading it – realising that I havn’t laughed enough recently… but by the end of the post I was having a little guffaw at the clips etc and I LOVED the quotes. When I get a moment I will downloading some of them. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely Easter break with your family. xx #familyfunlinky
    Hayley@ Mission: Mindfulness recently posted…Guest series: Mindfulness and Me #11My Profile

    Posted on 5 April, 2017 at 10:05 pm
  18. I love to laugh. It’s a great stress reliever.

    Posted on 6 April, 2017 at 12:00 am
  19. There is nothing that can pull me out of a grump more quickly than the sound of my son’s laughter! And you’re right, it’s impossible not to laugh with them, it’s so infectious. You’ve made me want to rewatch American Pie too! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
    Katy – Hot Pink Wellingtons recently posted…#SharingtheBlogLove #39My Profile

    Posted on 6 April, 2017 at 1:56 pm
  20. Hehe I love to laugh. I think some of the best laughter moments are when you know you really shouldn’t be laughing so you try to hide it, but it just gets the best of you! The other day, hubby found our 2yo had smuggled some popcorn out of the kitchen and hidden herself in the bottom of the wardrobe to eat it! He told her off and came to tell me and I just burst out laughing so hard. I was really trying to be serious and explain that taking food without asking was wrong, but I just couldn’t manage it! Ah well! Hahaha #sharingthebloglove
    Lucy At Home recently posted…When Selfless Love Becomes Self AbuseMy Profile

    Posted on 6 April, 2017 at 2:26 pm
  21. There are two things that make me laugh the rhymes by a certain well loved blogger and Shaun the Sheep. These are my turn to loves that can tun things around.Have a great Easter break. x #mg
    Helena recently posted…Strolling Around Brightwell-cum-SotwellMy Profile

    Posted on 6 April, 2017 at 7:07 pm
    1. Back again via #CandidCuddles
      Helena recently posted…Strolling Around Brightwell-cum-SotwellMy Profile

      Posted on 6 April, 2017 at 8:18 pm
  22. Love this post! Laughter really is the best medicine and I love being a pretty constant giggler by nature! #ListLinky

    Posted on 7 April, 2017 at 7:12 am
  23. You’ve got to laugh or you’d cry …! Great post and a really useful reminder
    Tubbs recently posted…Being a Foster CarerMy Profile

    Posted on 7 April, 2017 at 12:46 pm
  24. It’s true. It really is the best medicine. Lately I have been such a grump ass. I need to read this like every single day.

    #fabfriday
    kristin mccarthy recently posted…Learn Your Ass Off About Blogging with A Writer’s Badass GuideMy Profile

    Posted on 7 April, 2017 at 4:15 pm
  25. Oh I love this series and of course you are right a day without laughter is one wasted! I have live, laugh, love on my light box this week so seems we are in synch again! #FamilyFun
    Imperfect Mum recently posted…My Sunday PhotoMy Profile

    Posted on 9 April, 2017 at 7:16 am
    1. Popping back to say thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉

      Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 6:11 pm
  26. Popping back from #thelistlinky too 💙
    Imperfect Mum recently posted…My Sunday PhotoMy Profile

    Posted on 9 April, 2017 at 7:21 am
  27. Aww I love this post! Laughter is definitely the best medicine, and SO contagious! #KCACOLS
    Sarah recently posted…My Sunday Photo #13 – Park DaysMy Profile

    Posted on 9 April, 2017 at 7:07 pm
  28. Totally. We can control our moods and emotions to a degree. I am fortunate enough that I can actually make myself hysterically laugh. It’s by farrrrrrr the best medicine. I hope I die laughing. Although my theory will then be proved slightly wrong 😳😂

    #KCACOLS
    Cassie recently posted…Ponies, Pub friends and Peppa Pig – A New Forest Holiday.My Profile

    Posted on 9 April, 2017 at 9:07 pm
  29. Congratulations this post was the most clicked on post from #mg last week xx

    Posted on 10 April, 2017 at 5:27 am
  30. Again, another quote you work through is solving the ills of my life. Alana, it is as though you are on track to cure me! I feel as if I owe you money at this point! Bravo on another awesome post. Laugh out loud all day long! I love it! #KCACOLS
    Lisa Pomerantz recently posted…Show me a Sign?My Profile

    Posted on 10 April, 2017 at 11:42 am
  31. I love this and all of the quotes! I had read before about laugher being so key to health, I better watch something funny later ☺ #KCACOLS

    Posted on 10 April, 2017 at 1:52 pm
  32. This is so true! Laughter can completely change a situation, how you are feeling and just make life seem that bit happier. I know that after I’ve been to the cinema and laughed from start to finish I come out with a spring in my step. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
    Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Living Arrows 15/52 {2017}My Profile

    Posted on 10 April, 2017 at 6:00 pm
  33. LOL! Love the gifs. Yep, laughter is indeed the best medicine! Not so good when you’re incontinent, though!

    #KCACOLS

    Posted on 11 April, 2017 at 2:54 am
  34. My husband too always knows how to make me laugh. My kids make me laugh a lot too, not always for the right reasons though lol.
    #KCACOLS
    Ali Duke recently posted…An Update On My Money SavingMy Profile

    Posted on 11 April, 2017 at 8:30 pm
  35. It is always great to remember to laugh throughout the day. Those gifs did the trick this time! #KCACOLS

    Posted on 12 April, 2017 at 4:46 pm
  36. I could do with a laugh right now. Great quotes, love the gifs. #kcacols

    Posted on 12 April, 2017 at 7:46 pm
  37. Those are indeed words to live by #KCACOLS

    Nadia x

    Posted on 12 April, 2017 at 7:56 pm
  38. Lovely as always Alana. Laughter is always the best medicine isn’t it. I love reading these. Nicky x #KCACOLS
    Nicky Kentisbeer recently posted…How to Turn a Fridge into an Office – Part 1My Profile

    Posted on 12 April, 2017 at 8:50 pm
  39. Laughing definitely contagious! Great advice if we can’t have a laugh we can’t do anything eh #ablogginggoodtime
    Tammymum recently posted…#FamilyFun…Week 30My Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 7:26 am
  40. Ahhh I needed to see those gifs this morning! Laughter is truly the best medicine!! #KCACOLS
    Maria recently posted…WB Studio Tour – The Forbidden ForestMy Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 11:25 am
  41. haha such a lovely positive post to take me in to the weekend. gifs are just the funniest I find. I’ve been trying out a new gif maker on my phone and it’s hilarious ! #KCACOLS
    emma me and b recently posted…How to Make Colourful Ice Eggs – The Perfect Summer Sensory Play Activity!My Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 11:28 am
  42. Just popping back from #ablogginggoodtime!
    The Squirmy Popple recently posted…All the things you didn’t know you knewMy Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 12:43 pm
  43. This is so needed!! Because laughter is so good for the soul—everyday!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #ablogginggoodtime
    jodie filogomo recently posted…How Your Scarf Can be used for a Fun Print Mixing PieceMy Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 2:11 pm
  44. I can’t remember the last time I properly belly laughed – must do it soon!! #KCACOLS
    Crummy Mummy recently posted…10 reasons to visit Thomas LandMy Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 2:59 pm
  45. Totally agree! Watching a stand up DVD of a Saturday night really relaxes me – and I love the subway video! #ABloggingGoodTime

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 4:01 pm
  46. Back again from another linky, and am really glad actually, it’s nearly bedtime here and this reminder to just keep laughing has been very timely! x #KCACOLS
    Madeline (This Glorious Life) recently posted…The siblings project – April 2017My Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 6:06 pm
  47. I couldn’t have read this post at a better time. I’ve been feeling a little bogged down this week with work, not having time to blog, feeling like a shitty mum…the list is endless! When I feel like this it’s hard to pick myself up and I’m at the risk of getting in a rut. Your post was just what I needed to get me going again, plus the dancing baby really made me chuckle! #KCACOLS
    Becky Clark recently posted…The Perfect Picture – Instamazing or Just an Illusion?My Profile

    Posted on 13 April, 2017 at 10:01 pm
  48. Those gifs made me chuckle. It’s amazing what a difference a good laugh can make – it certainly makes the world seem like a better place. Hope you enjoy your break and have a lovely Easter weekend 🙂 #ablogginggoodtime
    Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…Friday Focus 14/04/17 – Catching up with familyMy Profile

    Posted on 14 April, 2017 at 10:43 am
  49. One thing I have noticed as a parent is that when Ben has a good day I have a great day. Days where laughter fills the house it lifts the mood and its those days I love. #KCACOLS

    Posted on 14 April, 2017 at 12:56 pm
  50. It’s so good to laugh and i love it when I get that belly laughter that even hurts! Good friends and my partner and my kids all make me laugh.

    Mainy
    #KCACOLS
    mainy recently posted…#mainyloveseaster Blog Linky SpecialMy Profile

    Posted on 14 April, 2017 at 5:29 pm
  51. Great post! Definitely words to live by #kcacols

    Posted on 15 April, 2017 at 11:14 pm
  52. Wow isn’t it amazing what laughter can do!! I love the video on the train. Of all places, train commuters could use a good laugh! I hope you enjoyed the Easter holidays! Thanks for sharing with us at #candidcuddles x
    Becky, Cuddle Fairy recently posted…Tips For A Great Baby ShowerMy Profile

    Posted on 24 April, 2017 at 7:27 pm