Goal
Achieve inner calm and relaxation through the power of laughter.
Problem
Many people struggle with stress and tension, negatively affecting their mental and physical well-being:
- Difficulty in finding peace and relaxation
- Persistent tension in the body 👩💻
- Overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions
Solution
Laughter therapy involves laughing to relieve stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being.
In a nutshell:
- Find a comfortable and quiet space.
- Start with a few deep breaths to help center yourself.
- Begin by gently smiling, then gradually let your laughter grow more natural and hearty.
- Laugh for 10-15 minutes, letting go of inhibitions or self-consciousness.
- Finish with a few deep breaths to help ground yourself and appreciate the benefits of the laughter.
My Take
Laughing is fun (of course!) and surprisingly effective in our context! As a technique to relax and calm down, to me, it didn’t come up as a first candidate. However, when you think about it … 🤔
Well, it initially feels super awkward when you dedicate a session only to laugh. But there’s something about the simplicity of laughter that makes it attractive to me.
So what happens when we laugh?
Our bodies release endorphins, which help reduce stress and pain. Plus, laughter can improve blood flow, boost the immune system, and overall it helps with relaxation.
Another fascinating aspect of laughter is what happens muscle-wise. We engage a large set of facial muscles when we laugh. So it’s kind of a mini workout for your face 😅
Moreover, laughter is also a workout for your diaphragm – the dome-shaped muscle that plays a crucial role in breathing. When we laugh, our diaphragm contracts and expands, which can help improve our respiratory function.
So not only does laughter make us feel good emotionally. It also has physiological benefits, promoting better health and relaxation. I think it’s pretty cool how something as simple and enjoyable as laughter can significantly impact our well-being!
We need to laugh more often.
PROS
- Easy and accessible for everyone
- No special equipment or training needed (🙃)
- Can be practiced alone or in a group
- Provides both mental and physical benefits
CONS
- Can be challenging for introverts
INSIGHTS
Here is what I have learned about laughter therapy, and what I have tried out:
- Triggers: I watch funny videos or think of humorous memories to help initiate laughter. As an alternative to a dedicated laughter session, I oftentimes listen to my favorite comedians (podcasts) when I’m out for a run.
- Group Laughing: Frankly, I have not been “brave” enough yet to try that out. But, you can actually join dedicated laughter yoga classes. Hmmm, maybe at some point, I need to try it out.
- Patience: I think it’s okay if your laughter feels forced at first. I just keep in mind all the good things that happen in the body.
- Experimenting: I tried out different types of laughter (e.g., chuckles, giggles, belly laughs) just to get an idea of what is possible and how it feels (well, don’t do this while commuting… 😄).
