Sliceanddice

Author: Ryan Vansice

  • Comedy – Filling Your Own Cup!

    Anyone just spend way too much time worrying about others, or working so hard that you forget to even take a lunch break or drink some water?… me too. 

    But then you take a moment and get up and just grab some water or stretch ur legs! There’s something about that first step or first sip of high quality H2O – you’re all the more better for it.

    I was up late at night and then I got to thinking about Comedy, and how great of a show I had just watched was… then I got to thinking comedy can be just like drinking a fresh glass of water too. 

    Sometimes we drink 3 cups and it doesn’t quench our thurst other times just a few sips can be life changing!! You know the feeling, maybe a hot summer afternoon, finally back in the AC or taking a breather after that run, and the first sip feels oh so delightful. That right there, that’s can be comedy and relief for the soul. It can happen when u least expect it too. And it’s good for ya.

    Comedy is some of the best medicine one can take. Comedy has a niche way of affecting not only our frontal lobe, but also influences our mental, emotional and physical well-being. Some of our favorite modes of comedy are funny movies, stand up comedy shows, or even a humorous book. Comedy has been recognized as a tool for managing stress and maintaining happiness. In this blog post we will take a dive into the “why” behind comedy and how it could be the secret remedy to achieving better health and improving our lives.

    The Science behind Laughter

    Laughter, smiling, and creativity are certain aspects that come to mind when we all think of comedy. Little do we really take the. 10. seconds. to breathe and think of why we actually love these hearty laughs we get from a good movie or your uncle cracking a unregulated joke at the holiday dinner table. The little grin we feel when we react, is a release of endorphins leading to feelings of happiness (our little friends called dopamine and serotonin). This is distracting us from pain we feel emotionally and even physically. Laughing decreased stress hormones and helps relax our minds and bodies, reducing tension and improving our emotional balance and energy.

    Comedy as a Stress Reliever

    Cortisol is a silent third party we hear all about from doctors, friends and family, and for good reason. Laughter on the other hand is something that counteracts cortisol, reducing cortisol levels in our bodies. Studies show that laughing improves your immune system, mood and can even strengthen relationships with friends and family. Comedy can shift our perspective and bring bliss even in some of the more stressful moments life brings.

    After all, when was the last time you found yourself laughing during a tough moment and didn’t feel just a bit better afterward? Reframing your mindset during challenging instances can really be a pivotal moment. Moreover, one of the best things about comedy is its ability to bring people together. Humor has the power to break down social barriers – It’s universal. It transcends cultures, languages, and backgrounds. This makes me really think about comedians and I think I finally understand why they love what they do -(kind of why horror movies travel the globe so well, zero context required – I digress) Anyways, the beauty of comedy is that its inclusive, and allows us to be brutally honest. Maybe we even exaggerate social norms about society or ourselves to show us all that being light hearted, and breaking down barries is something that can make us realize we are more alike than we may lead on. Comedy makes us feel like we belong, and makes life a more manageable – TOLERABLE – let’s be honest here. Sometimes that rings true for a lot of us. **Cork pops off wine bottle**

    Conclusion: Laugh It Off!

    Connection – something we all desire so much, and yet we dont need to try so hard finding it. Connections, and laughter are all around us. We just need to shift out mindset to focus on it, and prioritize it. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Breathe, acknowledge the bad stuff exists, laugh it off and repeat. You heard me, next time you feel overwhelmed or you’re feeling down, just turn to comedy. Whether is working on your wit and sharing a good joke, or watching you favorite comedian just remember – laughter is the best medicine!

    Breathe, acknowledge that bad situations happen – then laugh in its face and let comedy work its magic.

    Thanks for joining me!

    -Slice

  • Superbowl Commercials: An Advertising Battle Royale

    Top Seven (in no particular order)

    1. Michelob Ultra – Reigns champion with Pickleball. The commercial is light hearted, entertaining and you can tell the people in it had some fun making it. Every thing from the slow motion, to the the victorious gloating made it stand out as a top tier advertisement

    2. Reese’s – Hot lava everywhere, poking fun at the new texture being added to the already superior candy, this one made my wife and I chuckle

    3. Jeep with Harrison Ford – We love seeing a great car commercial. Although the car advirtisements were sparse, this one stood out even against those commercials not in the automotive space. It was really punny too, and I’m a sucker for that

    4. T-mobile – always takes the spotlight for positive reasons, but when I saw they were partnering with Starlink, I was just thinking what. a. power. move. This is great to see an inspiring commercial like this where a titan of industry is making moves and is not afraid to brag about it

    5. Doritos – This ones is a classic that we look ahead to year after year. UFOs and mixing in comedy hit just right for a lot of individuals, but felt cut short. Totally understandable when you think about the 8 million dollar price tag for a 30 second time slot

    6. A message to Budweiser – We all love a Clydesdale, and these commercials are always tasteful (this years included). Yet, underwhelming couldn’t have come more to mind when compared to years of Superbowl’s past

    7. Meta Glasses with Ray Ban – I’ve heard through the grapevine (aka my wife – don’t judge me) there was Meta commercials before this. I still feel this is worth an honorable mention. Due to being an entertaining, and refreshing refreshing take on a glasses commercial. The people in this one definitely enjoyed how ridiculous and comical it was!

    When reflecting on funny Superbowl commercials – the commercials are a key part of the annual elite competition. These ads are not only a break from the tension of the two teams you probably don’t even root for during the regular season; they are a showcase of humor, creativity and set the tone for the rest of the year for the biggest innovative companies around the globe. Superbowl Sunday brings families, friends and strangers together, giving us unexpected laughs and a legacy of entertainment gold. Cheers to giving our selves some grace and hoping Suberbowl sunday finally gets moved to Saturday.

    That’s all for now!

    -Slice

  • Welcome to Slice and Dice A Space for Real-Life Moments, Growth and Positivity

    Welcome to Slice and Dice A Space for Real-Life Moments, Growth and Positivity

    Inaugural Blog Moment

    Hey there! I’m Slice and I’m so glad you’re here. This blog is all about sharing the little things I learn every day and finding ways to stay positive, even when life throws curve-balls. I believe in working hard and playing hard, but I think we can all improve in some way each day. whether it’s by embracing humor in tough moments or discovering new perspectives in the busy world we live in.

    You’ll find a mix of everything here: reflections on personal development, observations from the world around us, and real-life stories that make you laugh or think a little differently. We’re all in this together, and I hope we can learn from each other’s experiences and grow as individuals along the way.  

    Lately, I’ve been trying to make small improvements every day, whether it’s taking a moment to pause and be socially awkward to teach myself to “slow down”, or being consistent in my goals. Take a moment and digest how far you’ve come in your journey compared to when you started. I am a big believer in finding humor in life’s chaos—sometimes the best lessons come from the messiest moments.

    I’m excited to share this ride called life with you. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and feel free to share your own experiences with me. Let’s stay curious, keep learning, spread a little more positive energy every day; and give back to not only ourselves, but to those who need it as well.

    Enjoy!

    -Slice