Laughter, Not Liquor, is the Best Medicine and Woody Allen Knows It

You're tired. You're feet hurt. The boss pulled one over on you and you had to stay late in that god-forsaken cubical. You drag yourself home, thinking maybe a jolt of caffeine will pick you up. Or, better yet, an ice-cold brew to de-stress and unwind. Make that two. Or three. Why not a few rounds of Cuervo while your at it?

Pounding a few drinks may seem like a cure-all, and, I know, it works sometimes, but throwing back the brews isn't appropriate for everyday situations. Think of a typical high-stress scenario-you're back in that cube, the big man walks by and picks you out for another late nighter. Do you crack open a cold one? Odds are, you don't. So how do you deal when stress boils over and there's no liquid courage to pull you through? I mean, there's got to be another way to handle hard times, right? People are always spouting information about the power of the mind, about tapping into energy. What about that?

Frankly, I don't believe any of it. But I do believe there is a non-liquid medicine appropriate for all situations-humor. And while a good joke won't make the boss walk away or your cube disappear, it can provide an alternate, not-so-morose view of the circumstances. When you need a good laugh, look no further than comedian great Woody Allen, who knows that laughter is the best medicine "except when milk comes out of my nose." At least milk is better than Cuervo.

Allen has advice on lots of subjects. Afraid of death? Woody's got you covered. "There are worse things in life than death," he says. "Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" And when you think about it, you're not afraid of death either. Because, although not an insurance salesman, your boss is much worse. See? Problem solved.

Woody says he's not afraid of death, he just doesn't want to be there when it happens. Which makes sense, right? Speaking of dying, Woody's got another way of looking at the great beyond. He says the way to make God crack a smile is to let him know your plans. Hey, if Woody's right and God laughs at our plans, then surely you can get over the fact that your feet hurt.

Is the financial rut getting you down? Woody can cheer you up. He says cash is better than being poor, "but only for financial reasons."

Maybe your problem isn't at the office, but at home? Is the family getting on your nerves? Look no further than Woody Allen for more great advice. Or at least for a way of making your problems seem not that bad. Woody says love answers all questions, but "sex raises some pretty interesting questions." That puts your problems in perspective. And, for Woody, oral contraception is a girl saying 'no.'

If the wife is dragging you down, think about Woody's wife and feel better. Woody says his wife was immature because she'd interrupt his bath time and sink his toy boats. At least your wife hasn't sunk your ships lately. That should make you feel better.

Basically, Woody's philosophy on life is to appreciate what you have, not to desire what you can't get. That's just good advice. So next time you pop open a brew for a quick cure to your office blues, think about Woody Allen and know there is an alternative to binge drinking. Laughter really is the best medicine.