There is a whole new field of therapeutic laughter where humor is used to treat chronic pain associated with cancers, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.   Many doctors and therapists prescribe to their patients a daily dose of jokes, comedies, games, light-hearted movies or anything that causes a hearty belly laugh or at least a few good chuckles.

Research is showing that by watching a 15-30 minute segment of a funny sit-com or movie, you can  increase blood flow to the heart and reduce the strain and stress put on it.  Even the anticipation of laughter has benefits by lowering stress hormones and increasing your natural pain defenses.  Just 10 minutes of good hearty laughter can keep you pain free for hours.

I recommend watching reruns of MASH, Seinfeld, Raymond, Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory for a guaranteed daily dose of laughter.  Google Jay Leno’s Headlines for a jolly belly laugh and old–time comedians like Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, etc can be just what the doctor ordered.

Encouraging others to laugh will help you maintain your sense of humor and develop it into a daily habit.  Not only will you learn to appreciate the lighter side of life, but you will also live longer, since laughter is associated with boosting immune cell activity and reducing the high levels of stress hormones linked to certain diseases.

Laughing makes you feel better and it’s also a lot of fun.  When you see people laughing, you can’t help but join in to share in their merriment.  Laughter is truly contagious.  Don’t just catch the bug.  Spread it around!

• Review your overall attitude by examining your thoughts. Do you express your limitations, fears, inhibitions and self-defeating thoughts often and find yourself affirming the worst that can happen? Notice when bad things happen and what you say during the course of the scenario. For instance, if you get into a car accident, is the first thing you say, “It’s only a car and I can get it fixed. As long as everyone is OK” or do you say, “Why does this always happen to me?  That other driver was such an idiot.  This is something else I have to deal with.”

Question or challenge this thought process to understand that your negative style of thinking was taught to you at an early age and that you can unlearn it.  Your thoughts are reflecting your belief system, which is probably holding you back and keeping you from fulfilling your dreams.

• Review how flexible you are in terms of being open and receptive to new ideas. Think of this as stepping out of your comfort zone. You are probably so used to doing things and thinking things a certain way that it is hard to act differently.  But I suggest you try being, acting, thinking and even speaking differently and see how that feels.

Everyone wants a quick fix to their problems, but there is really no such thing.  However, if you are open and receptive to new ideas and ways of thinking, maybe the new idea will be just what you need to turn your life around.

• Review your coping skills.These are the skills you use to help you deal with stress.  How effective are they? If you drown out your sorrows with a gallon of ice cream, instead of just a scoop, then your skills are not working for you.  After all, putting on thirty pounds is self-defeating and unproductive, as you probably already know.

Change your perspective and your world will instantly change. With a new, fresh vision for the future, you may be completely overwhelmed by your good fortune, but enjoy it, because you have mastered the secret to a successful life.