L is for Laughter – The Good Mental Health Guide

Children laugh spontaneously and naturally – it’s not something they have to learn. Apparently children laugh 200 – 400 times a day, while adults laugh an average of 15 times. Laughter, along with playfulness, gets lost as we grow up and take on responsibilities and obligations.

There are many benefits of laughter. It strengthens the immune system, reduces stress hormones in the body, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation, releases tension, promotes relaxation and deeper sleep, increases levels of positivity, creativity and energy, provides an antidote to anxiety and worry, remotivates and lifts our spirits.

Being playful is just as important for adults as it is for children. Activities like singing, dancing, laughing, writing, drawing or gardening for example, are all ways we can play and feel delight and joy, if we let ourselves.

As the saying goes ‘laughter is the best medicine’, and the good news is we can relearn and practice the skills of laughter so as to laugh for no reason. In fact the body can’t tell the difference between a pretend laugh or a real one, so even if you’re pretending the laughter releases endorphins creating a ‘feel good’ effect straight away. The more you practice, the more laughing becomes spontaneous and natural, and the better equipped you are to deal with life’s challenges.

“What Soap is to the Body, Laughter is to the Soul” Yiddish Proverb

My first experience of laughter workshops was with the lovely Lisa Sturge of Laughterlines Coaching (see picture). She says:

“Laughter cuts across all boundaries, cultures and religions. Sharng laughter connects people and provides a foundation on which to build open and trusting relationships. Laughter, regardless of physical ability, age or gender, unites us all with the Present Moment and each other. It encourages forgiveness for ourselves and others, releases anger and tension, allows us to express our joy and frees us from the mundane.”

Go on … have a giggle!