Not a day goes by that I am not inspired to laugh heartily in the presence of my teenagers. If I had to pick one of the things for which I am always grateful each day, laughter easily tops that list. Even better is knowing that all of that laughter is great for my mental health. With any luck at all, all this giggling and guffawing will keep me young for years to come. And, if that’s the case, I have some of the best people around me keeping me in stitches each and every day. Because it’s Friday, I thought what better day to celebrate the fun and silliness that inspires me to laughter than today.
As the more than half a year of posts demonstrates, there are plenty of reasons why I love these two awesome teenagers of mine. But one of the things that stands out for me is how much we laugh. Whether it’s cringy and eye rolling because of bad puns and dad jokes or it’s genuine because of pure silliness or joy, laughter is easily one of the things that fuels our days here, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Pretty much from the time our girls come downstairs to start the day, I am ready to spur us on with my trademark goofiness. Of course, it’s reciprocal tomfoolery—our girls like to exaggerate their chagrin at my and my husband’s kitchen antics. These antics often include some impressive dance moves and groan-inducing bad puns. Truly there is no better way to start the day, especially if we can trigger my younger’s famous catch phrase: What is wrong with you? as a smile spreads widely and brightly.
But it is their silly, goofy antics throughout the day that keep me and my mental health in the good spirits that help reduce stress and provide a sense of renewal. For example, my younger teen enjoys being outside and will head out after dinner to enjoy one of her favorite pastimes telling herself stories. When my husband and I pass her on our evening walk, all three of us will greet each other as if we are crabs, knees bent and pointing outward, hands in the air and formed into pinching claws, calling out the famous, Hey, hey, hey, hey by the crabs in Finding Nemo. Our youngest is skilled in both physical and sarcastic humor; it’s an impressive combination and she regularly makes me laugh.
She is not alone in the ways she makes me laugh. Her 17 year old sister is equally funny and provides me as many reasons to laugh, helping me maintain a better attitude and overcome daily stresses. Believe me, my girls witness me in Asheville traffic often and if anyone knows how much I need the benefits of daily laughter, it’s these two young women. My 17 year old shares funny insights and puns and self-created memes that bring a smile to my face and laughter to my moments. Whether it’s randomly telling all of us, I’m the superior entity in this household or sending me a writing-related meme, or simply making funny observations in the car, she reduces me to giggles regularly.
Whatever and wherever the moments, I count myself fortunate for the opportunity to indulge often in the benefits of laughter. Truly, I believe it to be true that this activity provides a boatload of benefits to both physical and mental health because I have read a few different articles about how a playful, light-hearted attitude provides one with a healthier stress level as well as the healing power of adding good amounts of laughter to your day. For me, that is an easy thing to do when I share my days with these two funny and remarkably witty young women who daily inspire me to laugh.