Nature MadeSAM-e Complete™**

• SAM-e basics
• good mood blog
• explore SAM-e
• try SAM-e

Most Recent Posts

• What is Your Heart’s Song?
• Overcome a Crisis by Being Still
• The Power of Belief
• All Posts
  • Nature Made Lisa
  • Brigitte
  • Tina

What Comedy Taught Me About Being in a Good Mood

Anyone who has ever seen live comedy can probably tell you that the experience is one that will leave you smiling and giddy for much longer than the duration of the show itself. Comedy and laughter is a great way to bring people together, and you find out very quickly how contagious laughter really is. Here are a few things I learned about how comedy and a good mood go hand in hand.

The Truth is Funny – You’ve probably heard the saying “it’s funny because it’s true.” Well, that always rings loud and clear in my mind because when you realize how absurd things seem sometimes, life is actually quite funny. Instead of getting angry or “bent out of shape” at the people who frustrate you, just think of how silly those people are and you’ll find yourself smiling instead of scowling in no time.

Just Say Yes, And… – One form of comedy I really enjoy is Improv. The basic idea is that a group of actors get together and collaborate to perform scenarios and scenes based on audience suggestions. It takes a nimble mind and a quick wit to do it, and even though the performers make it look easy, thinking that quickly on your feet and garnering hilarious results is quite difficult. However, one of the things that makes Improv comedy work is the basic rule the performers abide by – “yes, and.” This essentially means taking someone else’s idea and agreeing to it, as well as adding your own ideas as well. It seems sort of esoteric at first, but when you apply this same rule to everyday life, you start to realize what kind of positive power it can give you. For example, the next time a friend calls and asks you to help her move a couch or pitch in with some other chore, instead of saying no and making up an excuse – say, “yes, and let’s go see a movie afterward.” The possibilities are endless as long as you don’t shut something down before it has a chance.

Everyone is Different, Everyone is the Same – One of the things, in my mind, that really makes comedy work is the universality of it. The fact that comedians can identify those things that we ALL do from time to time and point them out to us makes us laugh every time. Adversely, some comedians are great at pointing out the differences between people. Either way you look at it, you realize that we are all in the same boat. That’s something that ought to make you smile no matter what.

I have a few favorite comedians who manage to make me giggle that you might get a kick out of. Check out Jim Gaffigan and Demetri Martin. Or if you are feeling really adventurous, you can learn improv for yourself and see what saying “yes, and!” can do for your good mood.

-Lisa