Laughter, Anyone?

Interested in turning your stress into serenity? Laughter is just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, most days we don’t laugh. That’s why I suggest not waiting for something to make you laugh, but to be proactive about laughing. How do you do this? Try Laughter Yoga.

Different from laughing because something strikes you as humorous, laughter yoga is about laughing for no reason. The idea is that laughter affects every aspect of our being and is the practice of setting aside a specified time to laugh voluntarily.

Laughter yoga is usually done in groups, but you can also do it at home, by yourself, with a friend, or even over the phone. Simply set a timer and start laughing until the timer sounds. It is a little odd at first, but once you start laughing, and someone else laughs, you are soon laughing hard, and it feels good. Often when I’m with people, I do it longer than the timer.

It’s easiest to start with just one minute and with someone you know and feel comfortable with, not the checkout guy at the grocery store or your accountant. That’s a little more advanced.

Enjoy the release the laughter brings, and practice daily to funnel any unsettled energy you have into lighthearted joy.

Wishing you boundless laughter and joy,