Miracle of Running and Laughter

Stu Mittleman kept running and never stopped

Depression never really stops hunting. Stu Mittleman suffered from depression at a younger age, losing purpose in life. Running became his salvation and escape zone. He took this to a bizarre stage where, in 1986, he ran 1,000 miles in 11 days—that’s about 90 miles a day!
If you have watched Forrest Gump, then this case will make sense to you. Forrest’s running without any destination was a sign of his coping mechanism with the loss (Jenny leaves him). “I just felt like running,” he said.
Running helped Stu find himself and purpose in life again, and he helped others with similar cases as a running coach. From casual running to ultramarathons, he became a living example of resilience and pushing through discomfort. Running became his metaphor for life.

Norman Cousins used laughter as medicine

Norman Cousins was best known for his work on laughter therapy. He was also an American journalist, author, and advocate for world peace. After being diagnosed with a severe case of ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis) in 1964, he chose a bizarre technique instead of medical treatment. He took massive doses of vitamin C and engaged in laughter sessions, like watching comedy films, such as the Marx Brothers. The result was thought-provoking.
Later, he wrote Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient (1979) based on his personal experience. Ten minutes of laughter can lead to two hours of pain-free sleep, according to his experience.

Let’s chat on Monday.
Thanks
Jessie.