August 20, 2023
“I’m not afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
—Woody Allen
Never underestimate the healing power of laughter, even in your grief. And never feel guilty about laughing. Studies have shown that laughter helps us heal physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.
A study in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care talked about the importance of humor and found that in 85 percent of nurse-based visits, there was a humorous interaction and that 70 percent of them began with the patient.
An article published by Pathways Home Health and Hospice concluded, “While death itself isn’t funny, the situations that take place before and after are rife with opportunities to infuse laughter. A key strength for coping with life (and death), humor acts as a buffer between us and the negative effects of stress — all while making a really tough situation a bit more bearable.”
Most of us will not feel like laughing, or if the opportunity presents itself, may think it’s too soon. And while you may not find yourself going to comedy clubs, try to surround yourself with friends who have a sense of humor and a positive outlook. Then, at least force a smile. “What will induce these smiles?” you might ask. It’s a simple answer. The fond memories that you have of the person you lost, the happy times you had together, even the sad times, and most certainly the goofy times. You may find yourself scrolling through photos on your phone, when suddenly a smile crosses your face because of a picture that captured the perfect day together.
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There are no hard and fast rules about laughter and grief. Keep an open mind, but more importantly, keep an open heart.
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