Laughter Therapy With Re-framed Perspective Works For Me
May 3, 2010
You have seen how smiling and laughing can help relief you from feelings of stress and depression. We are not so naive as to think that superficially simulated laughter or smiles can change our situation or provide us with the solution to the issues we are facing.
What smiling and laughing can do is to open up an avenue for us to step back from the intensely negative feelings (stress, anger, frustration, maybe even bitterness) that controls us so we are relaxed enough to reassess the situation and be in a more conducive state physiologically, mentally and emotionally to reframe our perspectives. "Facial feedback" works.
There was a time in my life when I was exhausted crying, wasted, de-motivated and could not find a reason to be happy. It was one huge disillusion after another, one big disappointment after another – after a decade of dedication and commitment. I did not feel that I had enough strength to pick myself up again to carry on. I was totally de-motivated, I do not want to do anything nor see anyone. Nothing could force a smile out of my miserable state. It would be insulting to ask me to laugh.
Way back then, I did not know about coaching. It took me a long long time to get out of my stagnant stage.
What helped? I took 2 months off work, took the plane and flew to the States. This was one month after 911, people were fearful of flying and I headed straight for US! I stayed with my sister and her family and spent time with my then tiny little baby niece. She was absolutely adorable.
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Just looking at the baby, being with her and taking her out for walks made me happy. Things seemed lighter and smiles started appearing on my face – voluntarily. What is it about babies? Her joy, hope, smiles and giggles melted my numb heart, they are contagious. That was love, hope and laughter therapy in action.
Like I say the situation has not changed, but my perspective of them have. Since then I have applied humor theory to other disillusionments I face.
When I allow the “issues” to be big and paramount, they took up so much space in my life that I had not noticed other things that were going on. All I could see was the darkness and hopelessness that I focused on. What you focus on expands, remember?
But when I detached myself and made light the situation, I saw how silly I was.
It is when I could laugh at myself that the issue lost its grip on me. It no longer controlled me. I could stand above the situation and know that although I have paid very expensive tuition fees I can learn and benefit from life’s lesson.
And I want to you to know that one or two unfortunate incidences along the journey of learning no matter how big need not control the rest of your life.
You are not defined by what happened to you.
There is still so much work waiting for you to do!
So whatever stress, anxiety or depression you are going through, find a way to smile and laugh. Lighten up the situation; blow it out of proportion so you see that it really is just one part of your life, not the whole entity. Then take a good laugh at yourself.
When you can laugh at yourself you have discounted the effect of the unpleasant situation. It was after all only one mistake that you were silly enough to fall into but clever enough to jump out of!
So smile and laugh, it is contagious. It will help you and those around you. Have you gone over the 47 laughing exercises yet? Which is your favorite? There is great resources in the free report, do make use of the tips. "Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it" says Bill Crosby.
However, if you do not feel like you can laugh or smile, no worries. And if you rather talk about it, just contact me. Sometimes a little help from a professional coach goes a long way.
I like to have your comments and if you like the article pass it on, share it with those who are still feeling challenged and help make an impact today!
Humor, Laughter And Stress
April 26, 2010
Using Laughter And Humor to Manage Stress
William Fry found that one minute of laughter does an equivalent amount of work as 15 minutes of work out on the rowing machine. Now is that not a fun and effective exercise to do?
Some studies show that a positive mindset, with a sense of humor and actual laughing help to improve outlook in life, gives better health and immune system. A sense of humor and actual laughing is touted to be an effective way to reduce stress.
Laughing like deep breathing sends fresh oxygen into our cells and organs, pulls our body and facial muscles, changes our heart rate and blood pressure and increases the release of endorphins while reducing cortisol. Thank goodness for laughter that is free and a healthy sense of humor!
Never mind if you do not feel that there is very much to smile or laugh about. Some researches think that our body cannot tell if the laughter is spontaneous or simulated. So start smiling even when you do not feel like smiling and you can feel better. Start simulating the act of laughing, eh learn to laugh and have a little fun. Take a lighter stance if you are feeling too serious, uptight or uneasy and see if we feel any differently.
Laughing, deep breathing replenishes your body with generous gulps of oxygen. And as you laugh more heartily, you begin to relax and see things with a different perspective. Your body then releases endorphins, the feel good chemical that will help you neutralize the sense of pressure and overwhelm.
Laughing heartily also help you burn up calories (about 50 calories for a good hearty laugh of 15 minutes, according to Maciej Buchowski)! That must be great news for those of us who are wanting to burn more calories! No wonder they say "Laughter is the Best Medicine"!
I have a free report here on how you can simulate laughter to help manage stress. Feel free to make use of and follow the exercises mentioned here and add more laughter and joy into your life — and the life of those around you.
Make use of humor and laughter as a form of exercise to manage your daily stress, alone or in a group. Wonder if we should start having regular "laughing" time so we can fill up our oxygen supply, burn up some calories and feel a whole lot better!
If you find this helpful and would like to receive more free information on stress management then feel free to opt in here. In any case, here's to your success without the stress! Smile, You are on life's candid camera!
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Smile, Your Cure For Stress
April 24, 2010
Laughter reduces stress.
How many times have your laughed or smiled today? I hear that children under the age of five smile or laugh up to 300 times a day. No kidding. You just have to take a look at the kids. Their joy and smiles / laughter will cheer you up; it's contagious. Conversely, an adult laughs maybe about 15 times a day. Some, not even that. They see only the worst in everything. That is so sad.
Here's a 2:02 minute video that will help you release some of the daily stress. Watch it a second time and you will pick up nuggets that you may have missed out the first time round.
I talk about having fun and using music to release stress in my stress management toolkit. Music, fun, a sense of humor brings on the smiles. Singing in a group helps too. Ever wonder why "kara oke" is so popular? Action item for today: Smile. Be happy. Do what you have to do, even if it means making funny faces at yourself in the mirror. If you want to tap into some laughter exercises, I have some prepared for you too!
Laughter Reduces Stress.
Smile when you wake up in the morning and let that set the tone for the day. Let that smile and gratitude sends blood to the organs and cells in your body and positive energy to everyone around you. Inject Humor and Recognition (HR) into your life and feel the difference!
Have a great weekend ahead 
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