Lifestyle Columnist, Amanda Alexander
Today’s Word with Amanda
COVID-19 the virus that changed the world. It’s caused global unexpected deaths, unemployment and recession¹. You may ask what is there to laugh about since I’ve lost my job, home, someone close etc.. You’re right there’s absolutely nothing to laugh about, I sympathise and empathise with everyone who’s suffered.
When I say “It’s Time to Laugh Again” it’s not to minimise the tragedy encountered. I’m thinking about you and the grief you’ll suffer which then leads to stress. Grief is a thief of health and wellbeing, it releases emotions like sadness, anger, anxiety, depression. Physically, grief can affect your cardiovascular system². Yes, it’s healthy to grieve loss, but for how long? Only you can decide that. Grief is subjective, the purpose of this article is to help you overcome grief through laughter.
Laughter is the antidote to grief, Sigmund Freud’s theory…”explains laughter as a release mechanism to let go of tension you may have”3. Biblical scripture Proverbs 17:22, states that “A merry [laughter] heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”.⁴
Think about it when you encounter grief, how does it make you feel? Does it leave you feeling broken and hopeless? Laughter is different as it leaves you feeling better and hopeful. “Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), dopamine, and growth hormone”.⁵I had to learn to laugh again following the various abuses I suffered as a child. I didn’t know how to laugh, I was miserable and very defensive, as a result I formed negative relationships. I didn’t know that what previously happened to me, damaged me internally, I was grieving for my stolen childhood, upon reflection my spirit was crushed.
Laughing women. Photo courtesy Canva
I had to learn many things which included letting go, focus on the positive of my experiences and not to be so defensive about life. I realised it was OK to laugh, to feel humour and be happy (I discovered happiness is my natural disposition). Learning to laugh again in the midst of adversity is a learning process, it does not lessen your loss but it will stop you from being crushed under the burden of grief.
Questions to ask yourself.:
- Have you reflected on your loss and how that person positively influenced you?
- When you think about that person, does it make you smile, laugh at the things you did together?
- What did you learn from your previous job, are your skills transferable, can you open your own business?
- Does it make you smile about the new possibilities available to you, now you’re not in your previous job?
If there’s been a family breakdown even if you’re on your own, you’re still alive, give yourself a hug!
Whatever your circumstance, try to focus on the positive not the negative you will make it, it’s time for you to laugh again!
Until next time, remember you are beautiful and wonderfully made – If you’d like to discuss this you may reach me on https://www.facebook.com/caribbeanhookup/ – With love Amanda x.
Amanda Alexander is the founder of Elect Lady Ministries & Amanda Alexander Productions All rights reserved ©
Disclaimer: Readers are advised that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to CaribDirect Multi-Media Ltd.
² https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/understanding-grief/201909/when-grief-gets-physical
3 https://www.cram.com/essay/Sigmund-Freuds-Theory-Of-Laughter/P3M4Y4FNM5YQ
4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17%3A22&version=KJV
5 https://www.verywellmind.com/the-stress-management-and-health-benefits-of-laughter-3145084
