Laughter

A vocal laugh has indeed been my favorite exercise lately.

A quick release of endorphins (natural painkillers and feel-good opioids), laughter is. Today they say, “You don’t feel good? Try this medicine.” But whatever happened to old-school treatment?

I’m convinced I have become a master at regulating my nervous system, so here are my four treatments.

For anxiety, I prescribe a long nature walk while listening to music. It must be alone because you need time to process your thoughts instead of potentially falling into an echo chamber of overthinking with your closest friend. I’ve been going on consistent long walks for about 3 years now, and it’s very funny to me how surprised my peers are by the fact I’m able to do so alone, especially in a dicey place like Austin, but I just have to tell them it’s really not that scary. The music choice is up to you. I find it helpful to be contextual and pick a genre that aligns with what is giving you anxiety the most. If it’s just general physical symptoms, however, Michael Jackson’s always a good choice.

For depression, I prescribe a yummy meal. I started a show with Will Ferrell in it and heard the line “deliciousness beats bullshit,” and I quote it almost every day in my head. I don’t think I’ve ever resonated with a quote more, except maybe “love is embarrassing,” but even now that I’ve mastered the ability to embrace “embarrassment,” I don’t think that is as meaningful to me anymore. It doesn't matter how calorie-packed or cholesterol-pumping it is. Lately, my go-to is Popeyes because there is nothing more comforting than a piece of fried chicken with some mashed potatoes and gravy. If I’m in the mood for something sweet, which is almost always the case past 10 p.m., a warm chocolate chip cookie à la mode does it right every time. The chips must be dark, though, with a dash of sea salt to balance the flavors with the ice cream.

For boredom, I prescribe some time with friends. When someone like me gets bored, they tend to do one of two things: something very productive or something that will get them into trouble. So I find the most foolproof solution is to go straight to surrounding myself with people I can have fun with while also being held accountable for my actions. My favorite thing is to go dancing in a cute outfit while simultaneously scaring away men who simply couldn’t understand.

The most powerful medicine of all, however, which can be prescribed to treat any of these three issues, is laughter. And I have no advice on what to laugh at because that is the great thing about it. It is completely and utterly individual. Where you find your bit of laughter is up to you. And it doesn’t cost you a dime. If you have absolutely nothing, you have memory, and we all have some pretty funny ones.

Lately, I’ve been laughing out loud. I’ve never had a vocal laugh. I was always the type to laugh in silence. I remember my mom, who has the loudest, most obnoxious laugh I’ve ever heard, once telling me, “It’s because you’re insecure.” I remember scoffing and thinking to myself, “Yeah, right.” But in retrospect, she might’ve been onto something.