64 🗨️ The Power of Smiling & Laughter! [Divorce Diaries Comedienne, Michele Traina]

Who needs some COMIC RELIEF!? I know you do! Here it is. You're welcome. 

We talk a lot about many serious topics here at Starting over Stronger, on the blog and on the podcast. We know there are so many important topics to cover as you divorce. It’s a tough season to get through and being knowledgeable and confident about the decisions you must make is critical! But do you know what else is critical? 

HAVING FUN! Smiling. Laughing. Seeing the positives in life. Enjoying the new space in your life that your divorce has hopefully or will eventually hopefully have created for you. Space where maybe there used to be arguing and tension, and what better than to replace that space with all the good things in life!!

I am share Michele Traina with you. She is a comedienne and host of the Divorce Diaries Show, stand-up comedy just for you! In episode 2:35 of the Starting Over Stronger Divorce Survival & Recovery Podcast, Michele and I share our take on The Power of Smiling and Laughter.

Annie & Michele do Stand Up

Annie shared a few corny jokes like this one from the "interwebs" and she hopes they make you laugh, or at least smile WHILE you are rolling your eyes. 

 Q: "What do a hurricane, a tornado, a fire, and a divorce have in common? 
A: They are four ways you can lose your house!”

After sharing these, Michele shared some of her latest jokes or funny stories she is gearing up to use in her stand-up Divorce Diaries Comedy Tour! Click LISTEN NOW above to hear them all. 

We also talked through some benefits of smiling and laughter because who doesn’t need more of both before, during and after a divorce!?

Benefits of Smiling & Laughter

·         Stress relief

·         Elevated mood

·         Immunity booster (and who doesn't need that in this crazy world!?)

·         May lower blood pressure and reduce pain

·         Smiling makes you more attractive (as opposed to alcohol which just makes OTHER people look more attractive)

·         Makes you look more successful, approachable and likable

·         Helps you stay positive

·         Smiling makes laughter come easier

·         Your relationships may even improve!

Ask Yourself 4 Things 

When you just aren’t feeling it but you know you need more smiles and laughter, learn to ask yourself these 4 questions. Are you… Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?

If you are experiencing one of these, “HALT” and go eat, vent, connect or rest, then see how much easier those smiles and laughter come! Here are a few more ways to increase your joy:

·         Fake it ‘til You Make It: Did you know even a fake smile can increase happiness? The first step to being happier is smiling even when you don’t feel like it. 

·         Look Around, People: One of my favorite comedians is known for saying that people ask him all the time where he comes up with his material and he just has that hmmm… uh, duhh look on his face as he waves his right hand one way and his left hand the other and slowly says, “Look around, people. I just live my life and take good notes!” I love that! 

What a fun topic this has been to explore! Tune in to the Starting Over Stronger Show by clicking the LISTEN NOW above. Listen to the show, then follow Divorce Diaries on Instagram to see where Michele is going to pop up next!

Coming in 2022, Starting Over Stronger will be hosting Divorce Recovery Retreats and today’s fun guest, Michele Traina, is going to be a part of bringing smiles and laughter to our retreat gues

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