The Joy of the LORD is my strength!

The Benefits of Laughter Therapy

How to Laugh Your Way to a Better Mood

"Start with a smile and allow it to become laughter" 

Nobody said you had to feel it to start it, start the smile and the feeling will follow....

Smile. 

Smiling is the beginning of laughter. Like laughter, it’s contagious.  “laugh therapy,” it’s possible to laugh without even experiencing a funny event. The same holds for smiling. When you look at someone or see something even mildly pleasing, practice smiling.

Depression is no laughing matter, but some experts say that comedy – is good therapy and  can lift your spirits. Find out how...

 
Laughter may the best medicine when you need a little pick-me-up. But can telling jokes be a fix for depression? Let's look into the scripture and see what the word of God tells us:

Proverbs 15:13
¹³ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Nehemiah 8:10
¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalms 51:12
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

“Learning to tell jokes is one way to rediscover your sense of humor,”

Although laughing about depression may seem inappropriate, some say that sharing a intimate – and often embarrassing experience, and the details of your depressing moments with wit and wisecracks can be medicine to you. 

Laugh at yourself. 
Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take ourselves less seriously is talk about times when we took ourselves too seriously.

I went thru a very hard time in my life, and I heard a preacher one day tell what he had to do to break the cycle of depression in his life. He said he would wake up every morning and go to the mirror and just start laughing at himself, he said when he first started he look ridiculous and felt stupid. The minister said as he continued it tho the laughter became part of him and normal. Then one day he realized that the state of depression had lifted.

Laughter is good for your health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Count your blessings. 
Literally make a list. The simple act of considering the good things in your life will distance you from negative thoughts that are a barrier to humor and laughter. When in a state of sadness, we have further to travel to get to humor and laughter.

In fact, for some people with depression, making others laugh or laughing at yourself is really good medicine. 

“Humor is a healthy, it's the greatest defense mechanism against depression, and it  allows a person with depression to take charge of their life an the unpleasant circumstances in life. And you and I  can gain control over our lives and destiny and begin to get our lives back. The scriptue says in:

1 Corinthians 1:25-28
²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

If you just take a look at the word "JOY" you see it has 3 letters this is unique because the number 3 is the number of spiritual completeness. And that is just what joy will do to your life make you feel complete in all that you are.

"Friend, Start living and enjoying your life"

 By: Dr. Michael N. Smith 

and his friend....