Brig. Gen. W. Bryan Gamble DDEAMC Commanding General Have you ever been told to “lighten-up” or not “take things so seriously”?

Most of us have, and we often do just the opposite of this wise counsel. What Soldiers do as warfighters is dangerous, serious business, yet most of the time—especially in garrison—we are doing boring, repetitive tasks. Do you want to know a way to feel better about yourself, your workplace and possibly increase your health? Researchers have found that humor and laughter actually strengthen the body against disease, reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, increase energy levels and help improve relationships with others. Indeed, we need to become more serious about laughter!

Humor is used in medical and nonmedical situations to improve healing, maintain sanity in a stressful world and also help deal with losses.

Over the years, I have realized that if I expected too much of myself, feelings of guilt and inadequacy overcame me when I thought I had not quite measured up. The ability to lighten-up and laugh helped reduce the tiredness, irritability, feeling of helplessness, lack of productivity and higher level of stress that often accompanied this guilt. By laughing at your difficulties, even in the most trying moments, you will not feel sorry for yourself. Rather, you will feel uplifted, encouraged and empowered—the core meanings of resiliency.

·Daily Humor. Plan to use humor in your approach to everyday situations. A little planned humor for potential upsets and losses is like having a psychological insurance policy.

·Read/Watch Humor. Reading humorous stories and watching comedies is an excellent way to improve your laughter skills. Readers Digest has two sections devoted to humor. The internet also has plenty of resources.

·Smile. Remember to smile at yourself and others. Laughter is contagious, and humor can give you a sense of control in an otherwise powerless situation. Best of all, laughter is a free tool for improving mental and physical health. Laughter is one human response we were all born with, but work so hard as adults trying to prevent. Take advantage of the power of laughter for a new perspective both at home and at work. Use laughter to decrease your stress, increase your energy and maintain balance. Belly laughs are best (in my opinion), but develop a laugh that works for YOU! Researcher Lee Berk of Loma Linda University said in a Los Angeles Times article that “the benefits of laughter are similar to exercise.”

Maybe we should all be laughing during Army Physical Fitness Training!

Comments, questions or article suggestions? E-mail us at: ikeshealthnet@amedd.army.mil

DDEAMC October Health Observances

Depression Education, Breast Cancer Awareness, Dental Hygiene, Healthy Lung

Upcoming Events

Retiree Appreciation Day

Oct. 24 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Darling Hall Call 706-791-2654 for more information