I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” – Audrey Hepburn
My 9-year old daughter Eyva included this quote for her TEDx speech about laughter. At times like the one we’re in, she suggested for us to track the number of times we laugh each day! Because when we carve out time for laughter, it does make us feel 10x better.
Eyva applied to be a speaker at this year’s TEDx Kids for her school district. It’s a process that takes a few months with students starting with a written speech and presenting it to their class. From there, they are selected to be part of their school’s TED-Ed Club to practice and refine their speech. All of the kids in the club presented their speeches to an assembly of 1st to 5th graders at their school where they were scored based on a rubric. The three top scoring students had their speech recorded on video and submitted to the district for selection.
Last year, Eyva was selected to be a speaker where she spoke about “Friendship” (link to her TEDx speech) and she is excited to do it again this year! She picked her topic to be about “Laughter”. When asked how she came up with the topic, she said that she wanted to talk about something that she loves doing the most – which is to laugh. Just like Audrey Hepburn! She will attest and I agree that her Dad is one of the funniest guys we know. We definitely laugh out loud a lot in our home.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Laughter stimulates chemical changes in the brain that help protect us against the harmful effects of stress” – Frank Lipman, MD
Check out the list of health benefits of laughter from the book, How To Be Well – The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life by Dr. Lipman:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lower cortisol levels
- Decrease pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Release tension
- Boosts immune system
While these benefits may not be visible immediately, I think we can all agree that we feel a rush of endorphins after a good belly laugh!
Ready to Try the Exercise?
Eyva had the opportunity to present her speech as the Inspiration at my local Toastmasters Club (San Diego Toastmasters 7) Zoom meeting for our 90th Anniversary. I invite you to watch this 25-sec video of a “Laughing Exercise” from my daughter’s speech 🙂
To listen to Eyva’s full TEDx speech, click on this link => TEDx Kids @ElCajon
Do you laugh out loud everyday? What are your usual go-to’s to have a good laugh?
I try to laugh often and not too much too seriously. Laughter can be healing. Great reminder
I try too! I have been watching some comedians on Netflix to help me laugh these days!!!
That’s so awesome! Well done by your daughter!
I so try to laugh on the regular. Now, more than ever, we need it!
Oh. My gosh, this is wonderful! I am so grateful we have Scooby to make us laugh these days!
I agree with what Kim said above. Laughter is always good for us!
Even before the current pandemic, I made it a point to laugh daily. It’s just good for the soul 🙂
I usually laugh at memes or funny texts that my friends send me.