Laughter has a healing effect like medicine on the mind and body.

 

And CentraCare is helping supply some of that medicine next week when it hosts the third annual Wanna Come out & Play? event featuring the Peabody Players Improv Group as part of the Bounce Back Project.

 

Bounce Back is based on the premise that people benefit from random acts of kindness, listing good things that happen to them every day, writing letters of thanks to someone who made a difference in their lives and making social connections.

 

Wanna Come Out and Play, an evening of improvisational comedy, is one way to get people to loosen up, have fun and make connections with other people in the community.

 

“The first year it was all about laughter,” says Melissa Pribyl, Community Health and Wellness Specialist with CentraCare Health - Monticello.  “How important laughter is to our well-being.

 

Last year the focus was self-care. 

 

“We talked about how important it was for all of us to take care of ourselves in whatever way that makes sense for each individual, whether it’s taking a long bath, a walk with your dog, reading a good book,” says Pribyl. 

 

“Every one of us has to find time in our daily life to take care of us, because if we don’t take care of us, we’re no good for anyone else.”

 

The Peabody Players brought a few components about self-care into their comedy, encouraging the audience to participate.

 

“It’s important for all of us to find out what brings us joy on a challenging day,” says Pribyl. “And that’s what we focused on in our community events last year.”

This year’s event has a different focus - purpose.

 

“It’s that notion that all of us belong to something bigger than ourselves. We’re all a part of a community,” says Pribyl. “It may be that your purpose is fostering children, or reading to youth, or leading a faith group. Everybody needs a purpose.”

 

Purpose is part of resilience, and Bounce Back is all about promoting resilience.

 

“It’s about being able to bounce back when we have tough and challenging days,” says Pribyl.

 

The Peabody Players will find a way integrate the theme “purpose” into their performance. Just how, Pribyl doesn’t know. She says they meet with Heather Peabody, the group’s founder in the planning stages.

 

“We tell her what our focus is. We’re never sure how they’re going to roll it out,” she says.

 

No matter how they accomplish the task, it will be a night full of fun and laughter. 

 

The event takes place Friday (Jan. 25) at 8 p.m. at River City Extreme in Monticello.

 

Advance tickets are available online for $10. Check bouncebackproject.org for details. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15.

 

Pribyl says any proceeds go to support continued free programming for Bounce Back. 

 

“We hope most people in our community can afford this for a great night out of entertainment,” she says. “We also provide chicken wings, chips, salsa and a cash bar for anyone who wants refreshments.”

 

“It also goes along with that sense of community,” says Heather Eidem, Community Relations Generalist  with CentraCare Health - Monticello. “People are encouraged to bring a food shelf item. So you’re feeling good about doing something good as well. It’s a great way to end a night out with friends.”