By Chandrama Anderson
E-mail Chandrama Anderson
About this blog: About this blog: I am a LMFT specializing in couples counseling and grief and have lived in Silicon Valley since 1969. I'm the president of Connect2 Marriage Counseling. I worked in high-tech at Apple, Stanford University, and in ...
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About this blog: About this blog: I am a LMFT specializing in couples counseling and grief and have lived in Silicon Valley since 1969. I'm the president of Connect2 Marriage Counseling. I worked in high-tech at Apple, Stanford University, and in Silicon Valley for 15 years before becoming a therapist. My background in high-tech is helpful in understanding local couples' dynamics and the pressures of living here. I am a wife, mom, sister, friend, author, and lifelong advocate for causes I believe in (such as marriage equality). My parents are both deceased. My son graduated culinary school and is heading toward a degree in Sociology. I enjoy reading, hiking, water fitness, movies, 49ers and Stanford football, Giants baseball, and riding a tandem bike with my husband. I love the beach and mountains; nature is my place of restoration. In my work with couples, and in this blog, I combine knowledge from many fields to bring you my best ideas, tips, tools and skills, plus book and movie reviews, and musings to help you be your genuine self, find your own voice, and have a happy and healthy relationship. Don't be surprised to hear about brain research and business skills, self-soothing techniques from all walks of life, suggestions and experiments, and anything that lights my passion for couples. (Author and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Calif. Lic # MFC 45204.)
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I hope so.

It makes me laugh, too. Fortunately, the Banana Phone works, too. It was easy to set up and use. The “multipurpose” button is actually the button that I would refer to as the “call/phone icon”.
All of us need more laughter in our lives. I’m actively working to have more fun. My husband retired five months ago, and now we have time to hang out together. I’m still working, seeing clients, writing this column, writing book two of my graphic novel series,
I Do, I Don’t: How to Build a Better Marriage.
Back to my phone and fun. I’m a serious person. I have been all my life. I cultivate my playful self since I know how important it is for myself, my husband, my family and friends.
So when I was offered a Banana Phone, I said, “Yes, please.” It arrived today and I’m enjoying it immensely. They donate 1- 2% to Gearing Up for Gorillas, who work to conserve gorilla habitats in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A recent fun item came to me through Craigslist: my garage freezer.

Yes, there will be ice cream treats in there.
Have you heard of laughter therapy? Check out this Mayo Clinic article,
“Stress relief from laughter? When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered. Here's why.
A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:
• Stimulate many organs
• Activate and relieve your stress response
• Soothe tension.
Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:
• Improve your immune system
• Relieve pain
• Increase personal satisfaction
• Improve your mood.
Laughter is the best medicine. Go ahead and give it a try. Turn the corners of your mouth up into a smile and then give a laugh, even if it feels a little forced. Once you've had your chuckle, take stock of how you're feeling. Are your muscles a little less tense? Do you feel more relaxed or buoyant? That's the natural wonder of laughing at work.”
How are you having fun? How are you having fun as a couple? Seek out laughter and bring more fun into your life.