When was the last time you had a proper laugh?
The type where your head tilted back, your sides started to hurt and there were tears rolling down your face. If it’s been a while, you wouldn’t be alone.
According to some researchers, as children we would laugh up to 300 times a day; as adults if we manage 15 times in 24 hours we’re doing well. The pandemic, clearly, hasn’t given us much to laugh about, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make laughter a priority.
In their book “Laugh Your Way to Happiness”, Lesley Lyle describes that it’s not so much our sense of humour that matters (we each find different things entertaining) but literally just laughing out loud whenever we can. You see, our brain can’t tell the difference between a real laugh and a fake one, so even just chuckling at nothing can put us in a better mood.
Here’s what might help:
This week, maybe set the intention to Let Laughter In. In the book, Lyle explains that you can seek out a laughter group, but can just as effectively achieve it on your own. Whether it’s watching an old comedy you love, or enjoying a cat video on the Internet there are ways and means of getting in the giggles. Lyle also suggests silent laughter (and trying not to laugh) as this can be just as rewarding.
The breath also plays an important part – taking a deep breath and as you exhale saying “Aaaaaaaahhh” can be enough to put a smile on your face. This article also explains the benefits of laughter, including how it can even gives us a little mini internal workout.
In any event, as the Irish Proverb says, a good sleep and a long laugh are the two best cures for anything. If laughter isn’t something you need right now, try and make sleep a priority instead.
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Copyright Delphi Ellis 2021
Helping You Sparkle™ 