I am deeply honoured today to have author and long time friend of Therapy Tales, Dr Deborah Serani as my guest blogger.
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Make time for Play. Make Time to Laugh.
Deborah Serani, Psy.D.
All work and no play can really make Jack a dull boy.
Or Jane for that matter.
The importance of play and making time for humor has been long known in research to enhance well-being. Making time for a case of the funnies also improves learning, socialization and physical health too. Humor, be it dry, silly, high brow or low heel activates the reward circuitry neurotransmitter of the brain called dopamine, which triggers a feeling of pleasure. So when you allow play into your world, you invite the rush of this feel-good hormone to flood your nooks and crannies. Research also shows that laughter and play not only have positive effects not only on mood, but also on motivation and learning too. Even the anticipation of experiencing something uplifting, like music, a joke or a funny story can release dopamine. Cool, right?
Life nowadays has become a fast-paced, demanding place for us – where work, technology, finances and practical issues take center stage. So, go find your funny bone. Lose yourself in imaginative moments. Get your air-guitar on. Whatever it is, have some unstructured, unfettered fun. And make sure to check out Therapy Tales, because there is ALWAYS something funny going on there.
References
Salimpoor, V., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., and Zatorre, R. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. National Neuroscience, 14, 257–262.
Sherdell, L; Waugh, C. and Gotlib, I. (2012). Anticipatory pleasure predicts motivation for reward in major depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(1), 51-60.
Mobbs, D.; Greicius, M.D.; et al. (2003). Humor modulates the mesolimbic reward centers. Neuron,
40, 1041–1048.
Dr. Deborah Serani, author of the award winning book, Living with Depression by Rowman and Littlefield, is a go-to expert on the subject of depression. She laughs everyday and is a huge fan of Therapy Tales.
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Thank you Madam! It’s a pleasure having you with us 
If you have an amusing or irreverant something to share on mental health, psychology, philosophy or therapeutic subjects and would like to be featured on the Wednesday Guest Blogger spot then drop me a line.
