Laugh for no reason - it's good for you!
by Lotte Mikkelsen
Before we start let's clear up a few misconceptions about laughter:
- you must have a sense of humour to laugh
- you have to have a reason to laugh
- you need to be happy to laugh
Laughter arrives before lauguage. It is one of the fundamental ways of expression for us human beings. Laughter is part of our language and, just as with the spoken language, our laughter language changes over years throughout life. We laugh in our own unique style when it comes to our facial expression, our movement, volume and intonation.
Yet, as a people we have forgotten how to laugh!
According to a study done by German Psychologist Dr. Michael Titze, children laugh spontaneously hundreds of times a day. Adults laugh less than 15 times a day.
Our laughter grows up with us, from being innocent and spontaneous to being conditioned and controlled.
Same study by Dr. Titze shows that fifty years ago people laughed 18 minutes a day. Today, however, we laugh for only six.
There are many reasons why laughter is disappearing. We live in a fast and stressful world where few things make us laugh while many things make us frown. Nobody wants to take responsibility and we keep trying to live in a moment other than now. Our society has become fear and rule based, where laughter is seen as being irresponsible and not serious. A sense of humour is uncommon and sometimes inappropriate because everything nowadays has to be taken so seriously. Happiness has become conditional on external factors supported by comments like "when I get 'this', then I will be happy".
Let me introduce you to Laughter Yoga. It is based on the philosophy of 'acting happiness'. In Laughter Yoga you don't need to be happy, or have a reason, or even have a sense of humour in order to laugh.
There are so many benefits to get from laughing that you'd be mad not to!
- Laughter releases endorphins which give us the 'feel good factor'
- Acts as aerobic exercise and 'internal jogging'
- Unleashes inhibitions and breaks down social barriers
- Great team building tool encouraging good communication
- Helps boost our immune system to resist disease
- Tones muscles, improves respiration and circulation
- Encourages positive thinking and creativity
- Relaxes the whole body and reduces stress
It is important to note that 'laughing for no reason' is different from laughing with humour. We are not born with a sense of humour but we are born with a pre-loaded ability to laugh.
If you would like to get laughter back into your life you will love my next two courses held at ISIS Crystals in St. Albans:
12th May 2008 Laughter Medicine - this is a two hour interactive workshop designed for anyone who would like a boost of the happy hormone...
17th-18th May 2008 and 2nd-3rd August 2008 Laughter Yoga Leader Training - this is a certification course designed for anyone wishing to take a serious look at laughter.
For more information please contact Lotte Mikkelsen on 07736 341 717 or lotte@unitedmind.co.uk or visit www.unitedmind.co.uk.
