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"The shortest distance
between
two people is laughter"
-- Unknown
"Against the assault of
laughter,
nothing can stand."
-- Mark Twain
Ha Ha
HoHoHo
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC
I recently went to Laughter Yoga. Talk about fun. I
went for an endorphin cocktail and received a good dose.
Imagine 40+ people in a small room, mingling, moving
around, making eye contact with a Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Ho Ho. We are instructed
to act as if, fake it until you make it, HaHa, HeeHee, HoHo. It was
hysterical. I laughed and laughed. and then . . . ROAR . . the real juice
started to come out.
We begin with clapping. Ha Ha HoHoHo, Ha Ha HoHoHo,
moving around the room - making eye contact. Loads of permission to feel
joy and have fun.
Laughter really is contagious -- just hearing
laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in on the
fun. Laughing with a group is the way to go. There are over 5000 Laughter
Clubs all over the world. Imagine walking around the room, reaching out to
shake hands with someone and instead of talking, cracking up with
laughter.
Laughter reduces the levels of stress hormones while
increasing the level of health (life) enhancing hormones. It also
increases the number of antibody producing cells while enhancing the
effectiveness of T-cells, leading to a stronger immune system.
Laughter helps decrease blood pressure, improves the
immune system, increases lung capacity and so much more. As children we
laugh 400-500x/day. As adults we laugh about 15. To me that is a
staggering discrepancy. My guess is in each of us there is a child wanting
to get out and enjoy their childlike self.
To me, laughter is like taking a warm bath, having a
cup of tea or enjoying a nap. Life takes a certain amount of energy and I
need to restore and replenish myself so I can keep going. When adversity
shows up, if I am well cared for, I am less and less likely to see myself
a victim to circumstances, but more able to be with and meet it with a
full and open heart.
Not only that, laughing is FUN and makes you feel
good. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body
back into balance than a good laugh.
Some ideas: " Watch a funny movie or TV show.
" Go to a comedy club. " Read the funny pages. " Seek out
funny people. " Share a good joke or a funny story. " Check out
your bookstore's humor section. " Host game night with friends.
" Play with a pet. " Go to a "laughter yoga" class.
" Goof around with children. " Do something silly. " Engage
in fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).
Find a way to laugh this week, today, right now!
Click
here to catch some laughter.
Go
ahead -- try this at home -- click here.
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A Reader Shares a Win:
I have found that taking the first action (step)
facilitates ease and gets me in motion. I am finding energy available for
me to use to create flow through action.
I am spending far less time worrying about what is
not done, because I'm in action - I am participating not avoiding! It's
very cool. ~ M.L. ~
For More on Living by Design:
How
are you with the process of change?
Personal Coaching
Perhaps a personal coaching session with me could
support you in moving forward. leslie@living-bydesign.com. Building a
network of support is an important aspect of living by design.
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