“With humour, there is life.” JR Ward (French street artist).

Humour is at times recognized as healing! It can decrease stress, make pain seem decreased, and release good endorphins in the brain.

Have you ever noticed an audience leaving a comedy movie or show? Some of them are smiling, laughing, not as visibly angry, and even at times more polite and courteous!

Do you remember a good friend with whom you shared funny stories? How watching a good comedy show makes you feel good and is a pleasant escape from an unpleasant situation?

Memories are made through humour. You often hear a conversation start with, “I have a funny story to tell you . . .” As long as it is not harming to another person, the benefits of humour are great. Even our acclaimed Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital has a therapy program called “Healing through Humour.”

Some of the great comics like comedian Chevy Chase have said humour has brought them out of dark places, so a chuckle can be like a medicine. It does the body and the mind good!

So as Bing Crosby, crooned, “Let a smile be your umbrella,
On a rainy, rainy day,
And if your sweetie cries, just tell them
That a smile will always pay.”