Comedy: What is it?

Comedy is a word that can be a broad blanket term or can be something completely different from person to person. To some people, it is a stress reliever, while others make a career out of it! Comedy is something that crosses language, ethnic, and physical borders. Most cultures have some form of popular comedy and that isn't even including the comedy that happens in the day-to-day life of most individuals.

Comedy has the ability to relieve stress and it allows people to escape from reality for awhile, even if it is only a few moments.  Laughter has been studied in many scenarios and been found to burn calories, lift depression, and according to a University of Maryland study, can even prevent heart disease! For these reasons alone, comedy is a great tool for good physical and mental health.

Many people choose to make others laugh for a living. They go into a career in stand-up comedy, comedy movies, or other kinds of comedy careers including writing. Many say that they love to make others laugh while some trace their comedy roots back to being class clowns.  Some have tragedy or trauma that drove them into the comedy business as a form of self-therapy.  It can be a very fulfilling career to help other people escape and enjoy themselves.

Laughter has a way of crossing most divisions in society. Some things are funny whether you speak English, Chinese, sign language, or Swahili and this makes laughter a great way that the entire world is connected. Sharing comedy is a cheap way to help make the world a better place. And it's tax-free!

Nearly everyone in has some sort of funny anecdote or full blown story to tell others. The reason for this is that most things in life are just plain funny. In almost any situation it is possible to find some humor. A lot of times something isn't funny while it is happening but when you look back on it you chuckle; when all the stress is gone the situation is hilarious.

Remember as you go through life to look for the comedy in every situation. It can help to get through a rough patch in life if you just laugh a little.

Laughter is the best medicine...