In the past I was always trying new things. I took classes, seminars, and lots of certifications, many of which were not at all closely related to my profession. One such certification was Laughter Yoga. I had so much fun learning about the value of laughing.
Your body does not know the difference between contrived laughs and laughs generated from humor. The physiological mechanisms such as inhaling, exhaling, and muscle movement are the same. So creating laughter is easy and anyone can do it. Laughter yoga is particularly effective for people who might not feel like laughing. People who struggle with depression, cancer patients, etc. can be taught to simulate laughter.
Dr. Michael Miller, a cardiologist and medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania posits a hearty laugh is good for your heart, immune system, and additional health benefits. Even from the time of ancient Greeks to the present people have studied the use of laughter. Gelotology, the modern study of laughter, began emerging in the 1960s when many of us were mere children, who laughed spontaneously. Why as adults did we lose the ability to laugh easily? Jenny Rosendhal, a senior researcher of medical psychology at Jena University in Germany found that laughter-inducing therapies decreased glucose levels, as well as cortisol and chronic pain. Now that’s something for us to consider as we begin experiencing the aches and pains of aging!
While it feels a bit awkward at first, you will find that when you start with saying “hee hee ho ho ha ha ha” repeatedly your mouth begins to turn up and before you know it you are in a full belly laugh. (I know you are trying it right now as you read this post!).
One way to laugh more is to get with another person. Look into each other’s eyes and repeatedly say “ha ha” for at least a minute. Before you know it, you will laugh aloud. Of course there are additional techniques that stem from laughter yoga classes. Yet the decision to laugh is contagious, even if it is just for yourself. Look into a mirror and make faces while making laughing sounds. If those don’t work, try calling a friend. Tell “dad” jokes. Agree to laugh.
Make laughter a part of your daily routine. The more you laugh, the lighter you will feel. And with that big smile across your face, people will wonder what you are up to!
Silver Sage Sisters 