We’ve almost made it through the Holiday Season and soon will be ringing in the New Year. There’s still parties to go to and (dysfunctional) family visits to get through. You can improve those dysfunctional family relationships though simply by using laughter through it all.

Does it seem that everyone you talk to or run into while out and about town lately has a story to tell about how the economy is affecting them? Whether I’m talking to my family or my best friend in New Hampshire, someone is out of a job or their working hours have been reduced.

For many, besides the economic hardship, there is also the resultant impact of no longer having health insurance. This situation isn’t a laughing matter.

Laughter For Health

Laughter can be the best medicine! By laughing more you can increase your longevity, reduce your stress levels and perhaps fend off illnesses – whether real or imaginary. Stressful situations frequently have an impact on your personal relationships and those with family and loved ones. Believe me, I’ve been married for 30+ years and each and every day has been an adventure. Laughing together as a form of anxiety management can build, restore and cement dysfunctional families and relationships that at times may have been rocky.

Laughter Medicine

While I don’t proclaim to be an expert at marriage even after 35 years, I will share a “secret.” I found out early on in a relationship that it’s best to laugh with your partner rather than at your partner.

This method is best exemplified by team players. My daughters both were college varsity letter winners. One daughter played women’s lacrosse and her team won many championships. Their coach encouraged team bonding and you could just see it in the teammate’s faces when they laughed at the same time during their pre-game coaching sessions. The same effect takes place in personal relationships. You can become a cohesive unit and tackle problems together when life throws lemons at you. Displays of public affection or “PDAs” don’t always have to be touchy-feely – try sharing a chuckle together over something that only the two of you “get.” Just like a team.

You may be asking yourself at this point, what if we don’t have anything in common any longer? True, it happens that people develop different interests and it may seem that they have grown apart. By laughing together at the same moment at the same thing, you recognize that you do, in fact, share common ground. All of a sudden you realize you aren’t as divergent as it may seem, because you both have a wacky sense of humor.

Arguments may not seem like an appropriate time to crack a joke, but by doing so you can take the edge off of a heated discussion and regroup. By laughing, you’ll find that you can avoid a time bomb and you may even find that you forgot what all the bickering was about to begin with!

Have you ever heard of the saying, “If life throws lemons at you, make lemonade?” Find a way to turn your big problems in life upside down by finding something funny in it. The problem then most likely won’t seem as big a deal as you were making out of it. Worrying about a particular situation is harder when you’re laughing. By laughing out loud until you cry, and laughing often, you’ll be able to lower your stress levels, even if life has dealt you a bad hand.

Hopefully you’ll be able to see that in order to form strong bonds in a relationship, laughing as well as playing together is crucial. Take the time to reexamine your own relationship and see if there’s laughter still to be found. If the humor isn’t there, take appropriate actions to rebuild it. The Law of Attraction is in effect.

Seize the moment to recharge your relationship, because laughter is cheaper than therapy.

Image Courtesy of  Stockexpert

Republished from TypeAMom.net, Cindi Matthews, Editor 50-Something Moms

Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Earlier this fall as a Connecticut Chevy Girl I had the opportunity to spend and entire day traveling solo to the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. Alone with just my thoughts, this Baby Boomer experienced the freedom of being able to stop the car at any photo opportunity that caught my eye.

For many Generation X and Millennials, becoming firmly established in a career means that you had to travel solo out of necessity.

Not everyone gets to enjoy the perks of business travel. Perhaps you have some particular travel destinations on your bucket list that you can’t find anyone to visit with you.   Maybe you or your spouse have conflicting career schedules and you’re hesitant as a women to travel solo during the holidays to visit loved ones or friends.   I’d like to share an article I wrote that just might persuade you to travel alone.

Consider Traveling Solo

When you like to to travel and your significant other doesn’t, traveling solo may be something worth trying. If you’re adventurous enough, traveling alone is an exciting concept and something worth considering.

Sometimes traveling solo is just as enjoyable, perhaps even more so, than traveling with a group of family or friends. People travel alone for a myriad of reasons. Traveling solo does have its downside, but life is short, so let’s look at the pros and cons.

My other half is a homebody. When I was younger I always wanted a career as an airline stewardess and wanted to see the world. In my mind’s eye, I can remember thinking that when I was done seeing the world, I’d find someplace else to go!

One of the great things about traveling by yourself is the flexibility. You can be flexible in planning your itinerary, schedules, how extravagant or frugal a trip you’d like it to be. Setting the pace of your excursion will be your own decision without having to worry about what others want to do. There are no restrictions, no boundaries and you can enjoy your trip as you see fit. The pressure of finding common ground or bonding with others is eliminated. Oftentimes when traveling with a partner or buddies, you’ll feel like you have to appease everyone’s preferences and come to a happy medium ~ the choice of accommodations, what to see and what to do; what time and where to eat. You may decide to backpack, stay in an elder hostel or a luxurious hotel. Traveling solo gives you the flexibility to spend your money and maximize your time as only you see fit.

Although I’ve been married 35 years, I like to call myself my husband’s “second wife.” His “first wife” never would have traveled by herself. Many people who’ve traveled solo will say they’ve benefited and gained a greater sense of self and adventure. Solo travelers are more willing and able to see and explore new things in the world than they would have been able to if traveling with companions.

Consider it an esteem-building and confidence-building adventure where you’ll be making decisions, meeting new people and learning about the society and culture that you are visiting.

Be prepared to keep your guard up and also expect a few discomforts and challenges when you’re traveling alone. Have you ever seen someone dining alone in a restaurant? That person usually always has a paperback book or newspaper as a dining partner. Whether away on business for the first time, or for pleasure, most people feel self-conscious in restaurants or eating establishments. One way to overcome the discomfort of eating alone is to strike up a conversation with the waitstaff or another solo diner. Talking-up the locals can also open whole new horizons and make your trip interesting.Feeling melancholy and lonely as a solo traveler for a few days of your trip is a common experience but will quickly pass. As soon as you get used to being on your own you’ll delight in the sensuality of the sights, tastes, smell and sounds of your destination.

You’ll definitely need to be cautious of your surroundings as a solo traveler. Pay attention to the people around you and what is occurring. Seasoned veteran solo travelers heed the old adage “expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.” Depending on your destination, map out your routes in advance to avoid getting lost. Purchase a small, portable GPS device that you can carry. It’s also wise to bring your medication with you in the event of an accident. Abide by your instincts and stay only in places that you believe are safe.

All that being said and done, everyone should experience traveling alone at least once in their lifetime. Yes, use discretion, go with your gut feelings and when you look back, you’ll be able to say “I did it my way.”

Girl Taking Photos courtesy of lockstockb of stock.xchng.

Republished from TypeAMom.com, Cindi Matthews, Editor 50-Something Moms

Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Through the Looking Glass

I come from a long-lived family.  Regular readers know that I often write about  my Grandmom, who lived to be 101.

I’ve written how I have a Sixth Sense, and have an eery ability to know when something’s going to happen.  I’ve also  written several posts about my Grandmom that you just might want to read to see just where I’m coming from.

That’s what this week is all about.

Today I attended the funeral of basically what I consider my last living relative (besides my brother.)  My favorite aunt, who was also my Godmother, passed away at 95.

I’m a Baby Boomer, but I still want my mommy.

So it is with some trepidation that I am strolling down memory lane this week, looking at the photo albums to continue to give you a glimpse into  “who I am.”

Post Woodstock, I came of age as an adult in the 1970s.

We spent quite a bit of time down the shore, as my future mother-in-law always liked to rent cottages for the whole family to go to.  What was a bummer was that Connecticut lowered the drinking age to 18 from 21 in 1972, the year I turned 20.

Back then there really wasn’t too much to do – we’d go to the movies on Friday and Saturday nights – there weren’t any such things as clubs to go to.  It was pretty boring for  date-night.

I married in 1974 to the guy who was in my homeroom all through high school and took me to the Senior Prom

Don’t you just love the hats that I picked out for the girls?

Actually, the dresses were halter style, and not all that bad.  The gal to my immediate left is my IRL best  friend, (Hi if you’re reading this, I miss you!) and the only one I keep in touch with.

We were kid-free for 9 years after we got married.

Within 2 weeks of being a newlywed, we bought a boat and traveled all over Long Island Sound, as well as to places such as Newport, RI; Block Island; Montauk NY;  Sag Harbor, NY; through the Intercoastal Waterway to Fire Island National Seashore – even after the kids came along

We ended up owning 3 boats over the course of our years

Moving on, we bought our first house, and I off to work I go as a Paralegal for the next 30 years …

and we all know the story about how I’m trying to retire from that dreaded cubicle job.  I’m going to end up like Dooce and be fired for writing about it if I don’t end up retiring.

All our friends and relatives were getting married in the 1970s.

There were at least 6-10 couples from high school who got married to each other.  For years I served on the High School Reunion Committee.  We’re basically the only couple left that’s still on our first marriage.

I know I often refer to myself as the “first wife” and “second wife.“

The ‘me’ of today, is not the ‘me’ who I was back then.

How about you? Are you still who you used to be?

To Be Continued….

Further Reading:

Woodstock: Talking About My Generation

Life In Dysfunction Junction: Guest Post by The Cat

If I Could Turn Back Time: Part 4 – The Kids Arrive

Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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Many of my faithful readers know that I’m soon to be a Grandma again for the second time.

My oldest daughter and Charming Son-In-Law are expecting their second child, a boy this time, at the end of July or beginning of August. There’s no name picked out for this little guy yet, so I just call him ‘Slugger.’ His dad was a 4-year letter-winner lefty pitcher in college, and could have been destined for the big-time, had he not fallen in love with my daughter.

I threw a huge Baby Shower when my daughter was expecting ‘Lil Moomette, who’s now 20 months old. Many of the baby items can be used again, but my daughter’s definitely going to need a new stroller. As I bought the first crib, I’ll most likely will also be in the market for trendy baby strollers.

Since I’m an avid online shopper, I’ll be checking out double strollers from top brands like Graco, Chicco, Maclaren and Joovy.

Why does shopping always give this Baby Boomer Grandma such great pleasure?

Laughter Medicine Can Improve Family And Personal Relationships is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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