Laughter is Medicine

Kids: 400. You: 15. (This is Scary)

Hey friend,

When was the last time you had one of those deep, uncontrollable belly laughs?

You know the kind, where you’re doubled over, gasping for air, maybe even snorting a little (which just makes you laugh harder).

The kind that leaves your cheeks hurting and your abs sore the next day.

If you’re sitting there trying to remember… you’re not alone.

Here’s what hit me: We’ve gotten so good at managing our lives, staying on top of everything, and keeping it all together that we’ve somehow forgotten how to let go and just… laugh.

When Did You Become So Damn Serious?

Think about it:

When did saying a quick “that’s funny” replace that deep belly laugh?

When did we start worrying more about looking put-together than feeling joyful? When did being an adult become the same as being serious all the time?

Maybe it was somewhere between running our businesses, taking care of our aging parents, and watching our kids figure out their own lives.

Maybe it got lost during the pandemic when everything felt heavy.

Maybe it just slowly disappeared as we convinced ourselves that laughter was something we didn’t have time for.

But here’s what blew my mind when I started looking into this: Laughter isn’t something we don’t have time for. It’s literally medicine.

You’ve Got a Built-In Stress Killer, Why Don’t You Use it?

You’ve been ignoring this, and I’m not being dramatic here.

When you have a real belly laugh, your body:

• Floods your system with endorphins (better than any mood booster you can buy)
• Drops your cortisol levels immediately (and keeps them lower for hours)
• Boosts your immune system like you just took the world’s best vitamin
• Gives your heart a workout similar to 10-15 minutes of moderate exercise
• Strengthens your core muscles (who needs planks?)

One study found that people who laugh regularly get sick less often and recover faster when they do. Another showed that laughter can be as effective as some antidepressants for improving mood.

Your body is literally designed to laugh. It’s hardwired into your system as a healing mechanism. And we’re… not using it.

When Life Feels So Serious

Here’s what I want you to know: You have permission to laugh. Really laugh. Even when life feels serious.

Especially when life feels serious.

I know, I know. You’ve got responsibilities. People are counting on you.

There’s always something that needs your attention.

But what if I told you that 10 minutes of genuine laughter could make you more effective at handling all of it?

What if that belly laugh isn’t time away from your important work, what if it’s fuel for it?

Kids Laugh 400 Times Daily. You Laugh 15.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that being a serious adult means being… well, serious.

That professionalism requires a poker face.

That leadership means never letting your guard down.

But the most magnetic, influential people I know?

They laugh.

They find joy in small moments.

They give themselves permission to be delighted by life, even when it’s messy.

They understand something we’ve forgotten:

Go Ahead…Laugh (it won’t kill you)

Here’s your challenge (and I’m doing it with you):

Day 1: Notice Pay attention to when you smile vs. when you actually laugh. Notice what makes you genuinely happy versus what you think should make you happy.

Day 2: Seek Actively look for one thing that makes you laugh out loud. Call that friend who always cracks you up. Watch something genuinely funny. Share a ridiculous story with your family.

Day 3: Share Tell someone about something that made you laugh, or better yet, laugh together about something silly. Notice how it feels to share joy.

The Ripple Effect of Your Joy

Here’s the beautiful truth: When you laugh, you give everyone around you permission to do the same.

Your team notices when you find humor in the chaos instead of just stress. Your family feels lighter when you choose laughter over lectures. Your friends remember why they love being around you.

You become the person people want to be near because you remind them that life can be joyful, even in the middle of all the responsibility and pressure.

What’s Waiting on the Other Side

I want you to imagine something: What would your life feel like if you laughed – really laughed – every single day?

Not fake laughter or polite chuckles, but that deep, soul-stirring laughter that reminds you what it feels like to be fully alive and present in a moment of pure joy.

What would that do for your stress levels? Your relationships? Your energy? Your health?

That version of you isn’t a fantasy. They’re still in there, waiting for permission to come out and play.

Your Invitation

So here’s my invitation to you:

Give yourself permission to find the humor in your beautifully messy life.

To laugh at the absurdity of trying to have it all figured out.

To choose joy even when (especially when) everything feels too serious.

Your belly laugh is waiting. Your body needs it. Your relationships crave it. And the world needs more people who choose joy.

When was the last time you had a real belly laugh?

Let’s make sure the answer to that question is “today.”

XOXO,

Tonya

P.S. Laughter is meant to be contagious.

Ready for more joy in your life?

If this resonated with you and you’re ready to bring more lightness, energy, and authentic happiness into your world, I’d love to chat. Sometimes we need permission, sometimes we need strategy, and sometimes we just need someone who gets it.

→ Email me at hello@tonyakay.co and let’s talk about what’s possible when you choose joy as your secret weapon.

→ Or book a conversation where we can explore how to weave more genuine happiness into your beautifully complex life.

Remember:

Your laughter matters.

Your joy matters.

You matter.

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