Tag: laughter

Friday, May 5

Today is Friday, May 5, 2023. A great day to celebrate children.

Think about this: Listen to children laughing uncontrollably and it is hard not to smile. Joyful laughter is healthy, boosts others and changes the atmosphere and our internal physiology as well as those around us.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Find opportunities to laugh out loud with joy. Let it release. Notice people having fun, laughing. Help others laugh too.

A quote by Charles Dickens, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”

Thank you to Kulli Kittus for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, July 25

Today is Monday, July 25, 2022.  A joke to start the week: Why did the magicians in class get the best mark on their test on Monday? –>They got all the trick questions right 🙂

A quote by Edmond Hillary. “Good planning is important.  I’ve also regarded a sense of humor as one of the most important things on a big expedition.  When you’re in a difficult or dangerous situation, or when your depressed about the chances of success, someone who can make you laugh eases the tension.”

Photo by Dan Deziel, “Rain Circles”

July is for sharing.  The act of sharing offers many health benefits.  When we give to others it has a positive effect on our brain.  Sharing allows us to connect more meaningfully and strengthens social connections.  Share laughter.  Laughter and humor can improve pain, sleep, and our health

    • Invite friends over for a funny movie marathon
    • Invite friends over for a game night
    • Share your favorite joke or funny story
    • Google search your favorite animal video

Practice this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
    • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
    • Choose a centering word that is neutral to you and simple. You might choose “now” or “one” or “peace.”
      • As you exhale, say your chosen word. Focus on the vibration of the word as you hear it. Repeat.
      • As you exhale and say your word, imagine dropping a smooth pebble in clear water and watch it settle gently on the bottom, relaxed and comfortable.
      • Finally, as you continue your deep belly breaths, notice that the ripples on the water are gently gliding out. Repeat your word on every exhale until the ripples have settled.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, May 4

Today is Wednesday, May 4, 2022.  Wondering how can I make myself laugh today?

A quote by Catherine Rippenger Fenwick.  “The body cannot heal without play.  Your mind cannot heal without laughter.  Your soul cannot heal without joy.”

Photo taken by: Fran Lee.  Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

It’s Magical May!  This month we explore things that make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance our lives, boost the immune system, help us build connections with others. 

Today, let’s find things to laugh about!😊 Laughter can ease pain, improve your mood and help you deal with challenging situations.

    • Watch a funny classic television show
    • Look up jokes on the internet
    • Watch a video of puppies playing
    • Share some time with an old friend
    • Watch young children playing in the park

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
    • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
    • As you continue to breathe, offer the loving kindness statements to yourself and/or others who are important to you: May I be safe, May I be HAPPY, May I be healthy, May I live with ease.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, February 26

Today is Friday, February 26, 2021.  The full moon in February is called the” Snow Moon”.

An inspirational quote by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.  “Very little is needed to make a happy life: it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be warmed by happiness and joy. 

Laughter improves the function of the mind and body. It connects people and relaxes the body.  It often causes others to smile and laugh too. Allow yourself daily doses of laughter. Keep a list of what makes you laugh. It may be humorous people, animals, visual images, memes, cartoons, audio or video clips, photos, books, autocorrected text messages, memories, and stories. Sometimes, laughter is a natural part of the day. Other times, you can deliberately turn to those things that make you laugh out loud.

Photo by Catrina Farrell

Use this Mindfulness Activity to calm your Body and Mind:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.    
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.   
  • Explore a Loving Kindness Practice
  • Find a comfortable position.
    • Take several calming belly breaths.
    • Repeat positive phrases towards yourself.
      • May I be happy.
      • May I be healthy.
      • May I be peaceful.
      • May I be strong.
      • May I be confident.
    • Smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

 

Wednesday, February 3

Today is Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Brisk walk, swinging the arms, really getting into it. Chuckling at how silly I feel, and totally embracing it.

An inspirational quote by Dr. Seuss, “If you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you will learn. Oh, the most wonderful stuff.”

February Feelings. While this month can – at times – feel cold in places where it is winter, inside, we can be glowing with warmth.

Make a list of people, places and things that increase how much or how often you laugh. The list may include people, books, quotes, memories, photos, games, characters, shows, movies, TV series, etc. See if you there are ways you can integrate more high laughter opportunities into your life (or others).

Photo by Daiwei Lu

Use this Mindfulness Activity to calm your Body and Mind:  

      • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
      • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
      • Roll your shoulders back and lace your fingers behind you-like you are holding your own hands behind you. Let your chest puff out and take a deep breath in.
      • As you breathe out, bring your chin down gently and feel the release in the back of the neck and shoulders. Take another long breath in and out.
      • Release your hands, bring your head back to neutral, and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am doing what I can. I am open to myself and others, and I belong to a global community. I appreciate myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We are all connected. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, August 24

Today is Monday, August 24, 2020. The season progresses and the nights grow longer. Walking at the usual time in the morning, anticipating the sunlight, the air feels cool.

Inspiration: A Quote from R. M. Drake

“It was the way you laughed…I knew I wanted that in my life.”

Photo by Raphael Biscaldi

We invite you to experience the Joy of Reflective Journaling. You may repeat this prompt until the next one is released.

Reflective Journaling Prompt: Think about those times you laugh or smile. The more of those times you can add to your list, the easier it becomes to see the patterns that elicit your joyful self.

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
  • Organize your mind.
    1. Imagine a box with a lid. It can be colorful or plain. It can be large or small or any size you want. Put that box on the side.
    2. Take those feelings that don’t serve you right now and place them in the box.
    3. Now, place all the thoughts about things you don’t have control over, and place them in the box also.
    4. Close the box.
    5. You can come back to the box any time to add or examine what you have in there, but you don’t need to carry it with you. You can leave it for a bit. It will be safe there.

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am resilient and learning every day. I am a part of the global community. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

The Daily Gifts of Vitality are released 3 times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.