Laughter. The best medicine?

So here we all are. 1st January 2020 and hopefully only a few more days of endlessly repeated, jaded movies on TV to go, and chocolates banished to the back of the cupboard, goodbyes to friends and families said, and nothing much to cheer us up for the rest of the winter. To quote the title of one of my meditation books, 'After the Ecstasy the Laundry'! (Jack Kornfield). Happiness is a fleeting thing and it takes some chasing sometimes.

For some of us with heavy caring burdens, all days can be pretty much the same, Christmas and New Year not excepted, and every single day can easily become part of the marathon of hard slog and worry.

So I just thought I'd remind us to find what moments of consolation we can throughout 2020. Because it's not only relaxation, but fun, that goes missing when you have heavy caring responsibilities.

Often we can't find time to relax or have hobbies or many outings, but It's the little frissons of laughter that can make all the difference, and I'm sure one of the keys to staying on an even keel is to be open to things that make us laugh. Don't let your worries or the size of your task take away your ability to be open to humour. I don't know what that will be for you, as humour's a very subjective thing. But there will be things which can tickle your funny-bone. It's just that when we are very bogged-down in everyday life, we sometimes aren't receptive to them.

So if you don't have time, and you can't relax, at least try to have a good belly-laugh every once in a while.

Take care throughout the year, and love to you and those you care for. x

[sassy59]

Thank you for your kind and caring post Callendersgal and for the timely reminder to find time for fun and laughter. I can often find humour in even the darkest moments and our grandchildren are a welcome distraction.

I want to wish you and everyone on this wonderful forum all the very best for 2020. Was the millennium really 20 years ago? Incredible!

Take care all xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Thanks for your good wishes sassy59 and yes, it's impossible to think that it's 20 years since we were all worrying about the 'millennium bug'. x

[klr31]

So well put.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Karen xx

[Hidden in reply to klr31]

Thanks Karen x

[Hellebelle]

Hi Callendersgal, I totally agree, a good laugh is worth countless pills!

Sometimes though as you say, life become very tedious and hard work with caring responsibilities as you acknowledge.

I have some very good friends who never fail to make me laugh through bad times and I always feel so much better.

Getting some respite usually works wonders. If makes me sad for those people who don't have this as an option and I hope that policy makers take note that carers need far more support than they receive currently. I think it would benefit society as a whole if carers were valued more for their wonderful contribution.

A very happy new year to all of you on this site.🎉🥂❤