I was reading again this morning about the effect of laughter on the body. I got to thinking how much most GAPSters are bombarded with that which can sabotage one’s health -all while we are so busy working on our food and physical environments! Many GAPSters are sensitive, compassionate people who care deeply about others and are profoundly impacted by what they see, read and hear. Many have also suffered trauma, which has been stored in the body for so very long.
I hereby present a challenge to those who choose to accept it! Every single day for the next thirty days, laugh -in at least one of the following prescriptions, and preferably more than one:
1. Watch outright comedy. As a person without a tv, I’m really appreciating Netflix. For $8/month, I can access an unlimited number of movies and tv shows. A couple of tv shows that make me laugh aloud every single time are Community and Better Off Ted. Those reflect my personal sense of humour, yours may of course differ. Find the shows that make you laugh and watch at least one episode per day. If you have time, watch more, or a whole movie!
2. Attend live comedy. In my city, I can find live comics for $5/night!
3. Read what doubles you over. Maybe movies aren’t your thing and the written word is more up your alley. Give at least half an hour to this.
4. Call the friend that has always made you laugh. Make thirty minutes available for the call.
5. Use meetup.com and other sources to find a Laughter Yoga session or comedy opportunity in your area, then attend it. (Note: Laughter Yoga isn’t actually yoga, it’s just laughing!)
If you’re not quite ready for comedy and laughter at this point, start with merely inspirational stuff. Anything that lifts your heart and leaves you feeling even a tiny bit more optimistic will do.
I’m suggesting thirty minutes as a base. If there are days in which you can double, triple, quadruple or quintuple this time, go for it! The more minutes on any given day the better!
Now, I challenge you to not only add laughter (or inspiration, if that’s all you’re up for right now), but to enhance this experience by eliminating all sources of news from your life: tv, newspapers, magazines, webpages, radio. It’s amazing the impact these have on one’s psyche (and, consequently, digestion and physical health), and very little of it is anything we can do anything about.
So, cut off the weighing stuff and insert the laughter. Who’s with me? Please submit your show or book recommendations below.
Once again, right on target!!! I am exhausted today absolutely no energy, can’t even move. Had a traumatic day yesterday which is probably why. Anyway, I picked up my copy of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome” and started reading. It also says to laugh, laugh, laugh. I need to laugh more! So I will be doing all of these things.
Oh, I hadn’t read leave recommendations. I am really enjoying watching Flight of the Conchords. It is my personal sense of humor and I think, hysterical!!! Can’t wait to read others recommendations.
Oh Gina! FOTC is one of my all-time, absolute favourites!! I just about pee myself laughing!
More goofy/bizarre from me:
Rock Paper Scissors: The Way of the Tosser (movie)
Twitch City (TV series – Canadian)
Sue: Glad you’re in! Yes, we definitely want people posting their faves/recommendations here!
LOVE IT! Love it love it!!!! It does get so labor intense and so hard doing GAPS intro that you do forget to laugh ! Thanks for the TIMELY reminder !! My hubby and I will do just that and ck out the shows you mentioned on Netflix. One of our favorite movies that make us laugh is BIRDCAGE w robin Williams – one of our very favs and cracks us up every time!
Would be fun to have everyone reading your blog to post a few of their FAV comedies…how bout it?
Dear Jo
A positive thought.
Once you regain your health, you will be a much wiser person in regards to your health and the knowledge that you have acquired will ensure you produce healthy babies.
People who have not had serious health problems are at a disadvantage because they are ignorant of the pitfalls.
You might look back on this and be thankful it happened because you were able to give your child the best gift of all, their health.
Try to use your longing for a child as a motivation to persever and not as a source of sorrow.
Liver and kidney are very nutritious if you can eat them, good for tissue growth and repair. Eating liver, a couple of slithers every other day was the only way I managed to breastfeed my son. The instant I stopped eating it I would dry up.
Best Wishes
Carol
Right on track with you. Fawlty Towers is my fix.
Right on, CJ! Thanks!
To that I need to add all Monty Python, as well as everything I’ve seen by Catherine Tate, such as:
)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPRfpyu6ITg (this one especially for us GAPSters hee
Carol,
I must have read your mind. I went to buy two packages of grass-fed liver. It is frozen and they recommended to eat it raw, but I think given my system this is not a great idea… I will cook some onions, add some soup, and then the liver and let it simmer for a while. I love liver and will try to have it twice a week from now onwards.
I hope, I truly hope, that one day I will be able to use the gifts that come from this journey and to give back something, in some form. Like you did with me, for instance.
Blessings,
Jo
A great reminder that I too really needed to hear! I love Community too! Also there is a great series of Webisodes called My Drunk Kitchen people might find funny – I know I did!
http://hartoandco.com/my-drunk-kitchen/
~Annie
A suggestion: uplifting talks on TED!
Jo
My favorite laugh out loud show is Frasier. We own all the seasons and I’ve seen each one so many times. But certain episodes will still crack me up. 30 Rock and Scrubs are also very funny and available to watch instantly on Netflix.
Thanks everyone! Keep ‘em coming!
My newest is The I.T. Crowd.
We love Community, too! Also Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.
Adding ‘Saxondale’. This one just does me in!
Another is ‘Pulling’. I was actually very bored during the first episode, but my partner encouraged me to give it one more chance and I’ve been laughing ever since! Caveat: It’s on the …inappropriate… side, so not a good fit for everyone!
I <3 Big Bang Theory. There is a British comedy series on Netflix called The IT Crowd, like you said with Pulling, the first episode is kind of hard to get used to, and the canned laughter is very grating, but after you get used to that, there are some REALLY funny episodes.