NotesFromTheCouch.com

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. ~Bill Cosby

There is nothing that makes me feel better than a HUGE, deep, down from the bottom of your soul laugh!  When I am really in the present moment laughing, it seems impossible to feel anything but joy.  During laughter, there is no anxiety, no sadness, no illness.  I am so focused on what I am laughing about that all the challenges I face, for those moments, vanish.  Endorphins (the body’s “feel good” hormones) are released and I feel better and more relaxed.  It puts my body in a space where more healing can occur. To quote Lord Byron, “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.”

One of the best ways I have found in recent months to find a good quick laugh is to surf the videos on YouTube.  I also read funny books, listen to comedians on my iPod, and watch my old favorite sitcom reruns.

This part of the website is dedicated to one of the most healing elements that I believe we can incorporate into our lives, laughter.  Whether it’s just a little giggle, or a full on, out loud, belly laugh, dedicate at least a few minutes a day (and more if you can) to laughing.  The more time you can spend laughing each day the better.  Make it a daily practice – you won’t regret it.

If you’d like to make a suggestion for some great humor you’d like to share with others, please email your submission to NotesFromTheCouch@yahoo.com.

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To get you started, the following are links to videos that I have personally found very fun to watch.  I can almost guarantee that at least one of these will put a smile on your face if not a hearty belly laugh.  Enjoy! 

Robin Williams on Inside the Actors Studio <—Stick with this one, it gets funnier and funnier as it goes along.  The first time I saw it, I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes.  Robin Williams is a brilliant talent.

Ellen DeGeneres’ first appearance on the Tonight Show with Jonny Carson <—Halfway through she does her famous “Phone Call to God” bit.

Dancing At the Movies <—-A collection of dance clips from almost 40 movies from dance movies to comedies, from Fred Astaire to Micheal Jackson. It might not make you laugh, but it will definitely get you smiling and maybe even dancing around a bit in your chair!  It is so much fun.

Carla Ulbrich – “Sitting in the waiting room” <—- Carla is a comedic singer/songwriter who performs clever, intelligent, funny songs born out of her own extreme health challenges.  Her newest CD called “Sick Humor” is avalable on her website TheSingingPatient.com.  She has numerous hysterical YouTube videos to check out, as well as a newly released book entitled “How Can You NOT Laugh At A Time Like This?” It is available on Amazon.com (Kindle edition available as well), through her website, and other book selling sources.

Singin In The Rain – Gene Kelly in his classic dance routine from the movie.  How can you not love this clip?!  People with chronic illness have to find a way to “sing in the rain” every day.  This clip is a feel-good reminder of that! Also from Singin In The Rain Donald O’Connor performing “Make Them Laugh,” another classic film moment.

How To Start A Movement – Not only is this very funny, it is truly inspirational.

Evolution of Dance <—Another fun one!

Fried Green Tomatoes – Funniest scene when Kathy Bates becomes empowered again.  I don’t recommend her methods, but I do recommend getting back in touch with our inner strength.

Escalator Stalls – Commercial <—–This commercial really made me laugh.

I Love Lucy – Vitameatavegamin Commercial <—– I cannot watch this without laughing.  Classic Lucille Ball in action.

Paula Poundstone – Degenerative Disease <—–I am a big fan of Paula Poundstone’s humor.  This YouTube video is short, but I thought it was very funny.

The Happiest Dog and Baby Playing & Laughing <—-How can you go wrong with a laughing baby AND a playful dog?  You can not help but at least smile watching this! (Thank you Jan for this submission)

Rick Mercer, of Rick Mercer’s Report on CBC Canada, has done an absolutely hilarious spoof on the Blackberry phenomenon.  This relates to whatever Smart phone you have…Blackberry, iPhone, Droid, etc…it all works.  Hysterical!  (Thank you Kenna for this submission)

A 90 year old couple play an impromptu piano recital at the Mayo Clinic waiting room – this will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.  It’s absolutely wonderful!  Another video about this couple and how humor, love, and spirituality keep you young and healthy.  Many more videos of the Cowan’s piano encores at the Mayo Clinic can be found at YouTube.com.

Who’s On First – Abbot and Costello’s classic baseball skit – still SO funny! (Thank you Ronnie for this submission)

Bob Hope/James Cagney – Great clip of the two actors doing a tap dance and soft shoe routine.  Guaranteed to make you smile if you like great classic entertainers and great dancing. (Thanks Gene for this submission)

Mary Tyler Moore at Chuckles the Clown’s Funeral – A classic scene from the show.  Who hasn’t had the deep desire to laugh at the most inappropriate time?!  That’s what makes this clip so funny.

Little House On The Prairie Bloopers – For people like myself who grew up loving the tv show Little House On The Prairie and who are really familiar with the characters and episodes, this one is hysterical.  I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe!

Fun flash mob marriage proposal and on-the-spot wedding.  This is a clip from Howie Mandel’s show “Mobbed”.  It is such a feel-good moment! It just keeps getting better and better the longer you watch. Enjoy!

Ellen Degeneres Scare Montage – Hilarious!  She enjoys scaring some of her celebrity guests.  The look on Richard Simmon’s and Taylor Swift’s faces are the best!

Please don’t forget humor in your life.
  Do not worry if others find you strange,
  what matters is that your heart is laughing.
  ~ Dodinsky~

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The following are links to books, audio books, DVDs or CDs, and websites to further your pursuit for laughter.

I recently created a library of my personal favorite comedy and romantic-comedy movies.  I call them my “comfort movies.”  Some people have comfort food, I have comfort movies too and they are a lot healthier than reaching for a box of chocolate chip cookies (although those are great too sometimes).  I found the best prices for my favorite movies at Amazon.com and DeepDiscount.com

Laughter Yoga – Laughter Yoga International has a number of books and videos on Laughter Yoga.  Laughter Yoga is a great way to experience some deep belly laughs and have a great time doing it.

The Power of Joy – An audio CD by Dr. Christiane Northrup that I found to be WONDERFUL.  I have listened to it a number of times. From her CD, “Life is meant to be joyous! We are pleasure-seeking creatures by nature. Joy makes you younger, smarter, more intuitive, and healthier . . . with better hormonal balance and immune-system functioning. Joy even positively affects your metabolism.”  She is funny and delightful and constructive.

Carla Ulbrich – Her newly released book entitled “How Can You NOT Laugh At A Time Like This?” is available on Amazon.com (Kindle edition available as well), through her website (TheSingingPatient.com), and other book selling sources.

CHRONICLYsILLy - a fun website, newsletter, Twitter, and Facebook page bringing you little bits of laughter and joy to each day.

Humor is men’s only survival kit. ~Unknown