Mickey Bell- “Why Giggles Might Be Better Than Kale”

We’ve all heard it: “Laughter is the best medicine.” And let’s be honest—if you had to choose between a good belly laugh or a spoonful of kale, you know which one you’d pick. (Sorry, kale. You’re just lettuce with a gym membership.)

Laughter is more than just noise that escapes when someone tells a dad joke or when you accidentally trip over your dog’s chew toy. It’s a full-body workout, a stress reliever, and—if you’ve got the right sense of humor—an ab exercise you don’t even have to pay a monthly gym fee for. Science backs this up. When you laugh, your brain releases endorphins, those happy chemicals that make you feel like you just won the lottery, except you don’t have to pay taxes on them.

Think about it: have you ever left a comedy show, your sides hurting, your cheeks sore, and thought, “Man, I wish I’d just stayed home and folded laundry instead”? Nope. Nobody ever said that. Because laughter takes the heaviness of life and flips it on its head. Stress, depression, anxiety—they all lose their power when you find humor in a situation.

Now, I’m not saying laughter will solve every problem. If your car won’t start, standing in the driveway and giggling probably won’t get you to work on time. (Though it will confuse the neighbors, which is almost as good.) But laughter gives you perspective. It reminds you that the story isn’t over, and you’re still in the game. And when you can laugh at yourself? Congratulations—you’ve just leveled up in the game of life.

Here’s the motivational part: laughter is contagious. Ever notice how one person’s goofy chuckle in a room can set off a chain reaction? Before long, everybody’s wiping tears, and no one even remembers what was so funny to begin with. That’s the power you carry when you share your joy. Your laugh can brighten someone else’s darkness, even if just for a moment. And sometimes, that moment is all someone needs to keep going.

Life is heavy enough. Bills, politics, gas prices that make you want to start riding a horse to work—why add more weight by taking yourself too seriously? When you learn to laugh, even in the middle of chaos, you remind yourself that hope still exists, that better days are possible, and that sometimes the best response to life’s mess is a loud, unapologetic snort.

So, the next time you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain tired, don’t underestimate the power of a laugh. Find a funny video, call that one friend who can’t tell a story without cracking themselves up, or look in the mirror and make faces until you realize you’re just as ridiculous as the rest of us.

Because at the end of the day, laughter doesn’t just add years to your life—it adds life to your years.

And honestly? That beats kale every time.

Mickey Bell