by Joy Goodman, Spiritual Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Teacher of Souls
Is there anything more precious, more uplifting than the laughter of a child?
I remember the pure joy of laughter and giggling from my childhood days. Back then, cartoons on the tv were simple and really funny. The zany humor of two friends, Sally and Dennis, would always crack me up. We giggled to the point of happy tears running down our faces. What a pleasurable experience that was! My father could light up a room with his knack for jokes. His funny bone rubbed off on me and I am thrilled. I love laughing and sparking laughter in others.
It's as simple as this... we are born to laugh, to play, and to use our imaginations. Why else would it be among the first expressions we experience?
Like quickly spreading kudzu, the stresses of daily life seem to cover up our basic need for a daily dose of light-heartedness.
The joyful qualities of our inner child lie dormant within, just waiting to express again! The great news is that we have the power to change this. We can choose to rekindle our innate gift of humor!
Incorporating this natural remedy into each day will increase a sense of balance and wellbeing in your body, mind and spirit. In addition, spontaneous silliness fosters a connection with others and boosts your energy level. Plus, a chuckle a day keeps the doctor away!
THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER
It's time to dive into Gelotology. Not the wiggly, jiggly kind of Jello, but the study of laughter and its effects on the body. Check out some of laughter's physical benefits:
~ It is one of the most powerful tools to uplift our mood and emotional state.
~ It stimulates the release of feel-good endorphins from the brain. Serotonin promotes relaxation while decreasing tension, anxiety, stress, worry and fear.
~ It revitalizes many organs, increases the immune system's strength, and promotes a healing environment in the body.
When you are laughing, the brain silences thoughts of worry, anxiety and fear! It simply cannot do both at the same time! So when you are feeling down or overwhelmed, choose to actively bring laughter into the moment. Change your thoughts, change your life!
Laughter allows us to entertain the absurd and to imagine alternate possibilities. When the mind is relaxed, it allows the creative solutions to our problems to arise. You may uncover new ways of looking at unpleasant situations and come up with new approaches.
Laughing together with other people fosters emotional connections, improves co-operation, communication and even romance. It is a language that is understood by all and is very contagious! And don't think it is limited to people. Some animals also receive positive benefits. We all know it is the tone of our voice that the animals respond to. When you laugh and play with your pet, their sense of wellbeing increases!
HOW TO BRING HUMOR AND LAUGHTER INTO YOUR LIFE
Humor can be learned. There are a few actions you can do to spice up the humor in your life.
~ Watch old tv shows. MeTV network airs a variety of classic tv programs from the 1950's through the early 1990's. Featured are comedy shows that were just plain silly and funny. Many of us have seen these old episodes a dozen times, but we still laugh out loud at the antics in them. Watching Lucy and Ethel from the I Love Lucy Show trying to eat the candy on the conveyer belt is still hilarious!
~ Watch old Movies. We all have old movies that we love. Who doesn't laugh while watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Mrs. Doubtfire?
~ Laugh With Friends. Make a date with your friends to enjoy an evening out laughing at a comedy club, enjoying a funny theater production or hosting a Charades night in your home. Each of these is sure to lighten your spirits!
There's one more thing you can do to learn to laugh more!
Contact Joy Goodman to bring her Laughter: Medicine For The Soul workshop to your friends and organizations!
Joy Goodman
Spiritual Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker, & Teacher of Souls
In 1994, Joy studied Improv Comedy and Storytelling at The Alliance Theater in a two week intensive training for teachers and ever since she has incorporated these techniques into her "Express Yourself with JOY!" workshops. She is passionate about teaching others how to express themselves with more ease and confidence.
Contact Joy:
404-275-2593
Website: courageouslivingwithjoy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courageouslivingwithjoy/
Reviews from Joy's upbeat workshop:
This was one of the most creative and fun workshops I have ever attended. Joy is a born teacher, storyteller and leader. If you are looking for a way to bring people together, improve company morale or deepen friendships, I highly recommend Joy! She is medicine for the soul. Mindy Strich
I spend most of my time "adulting" and have to admit that playful laughter with others is not on the agenda as often as I would like. Joy and her workshop was the balm. Lots of fun and I left 10 lbs lighter - in spirit! There were around 20 of us at the event and we ALL loved it! Deborah
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