In today's world we don't have a lot to laugh about. The news is always about bad things happening, it's negative and depressing. We all work hard, struggle with the cost of living, have problems and illnesses. Most humour and comedy is individual, cultural, political and personal, making it negative and offensive.

Over 400 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and 70-80% of sickness in the world is related to stress.

Our brain can't tell the difference between real laughter and fake laughter, that is when we laugh naturally when we find something funny, and when we force ourselves to laugh for no reason at all. So, it would seem that if we can laugh on demand whenever we want to – faking it – we should do this.

Here's some reasons why…

Laughter is one of the best methods of stress release: it's cheap, quick, simple, suitable for most people and scientifically proven to have positive results.

Laughter encourages a positive mental state, through releasing endorphins. Zygomaticus muscles in the face stimulate brain hormones – so work on that smile for positive mental health.

Adults forget how to laugh. As we grow up things become serious and laughing becomes conditional. It's important to be playful and childlike sometimes.

Laughter can't cure anything but can be helpful in a preventative and therapeutic way for illness. It helps to lower cortisol and blood pressure, boosting the immune system. Modern medicine is expensive, has side effects, and doesn't always treat the cause, only the symptoms.

Laughing increases oxygen to the brain, therefore making you more energetic, productive, creative and efficient.

Laughing is a social connector and can help to improve friendships and relationships. It can help to break down inhibitions and shyness, opening up perceptions and developing a sense of humour.

 

Beneficial laughter needs to be sustained for 15-20 minutes in order to bring about physiological and psychological changes. Natural laughter usually only lasts a few seconds and has no lasting effect.

It needs to be hearty and from the belly so that you get the diaphragmatic benefits of stimulating the vagus nerve (which soothes the autonomic nervous system).

It needs to be unconditional – laugh for no reason but just because.

This kind of laughter creates joy – internal happiness, where you can look out on the world with a positive and open mind, feeling good within yourself. Rather than just happiness – which is external, comes from conditional events happening in life and doesn't last very long.

 

So what if you don't feel like laughing?

The body and mind are linked, therefore if you are feeling down, by moving your body around (for example doing some exercise) you can create happy hormones. This is the theory of motion which creates emotions. It works in reverse engineering too if you're feeling lazy, stiff, and haven't been very active – laugh to get the body moving.

It's sometimes hard to laugh on demand, but with practice it gets easier. It's a kind of neurolinguistic programming, where if you create the habit and then keep on repeating it until it becomes automatic and natural, you will find it's possible to laugh at any time, whether you feel like it or not.

 

When is the best time to laugh?

First thing in the morning will set your day up positively. But as often as possible would be the best response. On your own, with friends and family, in a social group, anywhere.

Laugh your way through the days' challenges – rather than get stressed, annoyed, or angry – laugh your way through situations that crop up. It keeps you calm and positive, so that you can sort things logically and rationally, creating a coping mechanism and strength in adversity.

 

Laughter Yoga is an exercise programme that helps you laugh daily and teaches you the benefits of laughing. It incorporates laughing, breathing, physical actions/movement, aerobic exercise and fun.

When I heard about it, I was sceptical. I thought – it's not my kind of thing, doesn't match my personality, will make me feel stupid, etc.

But it actually works! And it has made a massive difference to me. As somebody who struggles with depression, stress, and anxiety, it really helps to alleviate the difficult feelings. Since I've been joining in with Laughter Yoga sessions, I feel happier, more able to cope with many situations and generally more positive about everything. It gives me energy.

I have trained to lead sessions and now provide Laughter Yoga in my services to clients.

I recommend you give it try and see what happens.

Disclaimer: As with any exercise – please check with your medical professional to ensure this is safe for you.