by enda Junkins
Laugh More
Why feeLINg tICKLed Is good for us
be aware. When the corners of our mouth turn up
involuntarily and we must swallow unsolicited giggles,
we may be giving way to laughter addiction.
T
he high that we gain when we
many things we deal with that aren’t
laugh until we hold our sides, roll
otherwise funny. Children will play with
about on the floor and feel the tears
almost anything except direct pain. Adults
streaming down our cheeks is addicting.
were intended to do the same. When we
So, what protects us from such loosey-
can play with our pain, we laugh. When
goosey, nonsensical fun? Only our own
we laugh, we shift our perspective and
serious, controlled approach to life, from
problems shrink to a manageable size.
sex to the family vacation.
We don’t diminish their importance, but
Human beings are not born serious.
we feel less overwhelmed.
We begin life fully equipped with an in-
Laughter is warm, bonding and con-
nate playfulness and the ability to laugh
tagious. It connects with those we love
freely. Sadly, most of us curb our playful-
and with our fellow human beings. We
ness and laughter as a sacrifice to the
need to feel good. We need to feel con-
serious business of adulthood. In order to
nected. We need to feel safe. We need to
keep laughing, we need to be in a partial
laugh more.
state of playfulness, either consciously or
Anyone can join the laughter move-
unconsciously. Laughter therapy is one
ment. All it takes is a willingness to risk
way to help us ease our adult seriousness
some loss of control. The timid may start
and retrieve that lost sensation of play.
with a few shy giggles. The courageous
Laughter is not only fun; it is also
may jump in with deep belly laughs. A
good for us. At last, something good for us
sense of humor is not required. There’s
that is also enjoyable. There is no need for
more than enough stress to go around,
yucky-tasting diet concoctions, profuse
and absurdity abounds in our daily lives.
sweating in concentrated exercise or
All we have to do is believe, let go and
tough changes for this particular pursuit of
clap our hands, and laughter will live
health. All that’s required is pure, unre-
again. So will we. When we laugh, we
strained, old-fashioned laughter.
feel deeply, which allows us to live fully.
Laughter heals the body and eases
painful emotions like anger and fear (see
this month’s Healing Ways department).
LAUGH TO:
It helps us cope with daily survival in
Relieve stress
a pleasant and effective way. Con- Resolve conflict
trary to common perceptions, in
Enhance communications
my 20 years as a laughter thera-
Enrich relationships
pist I have found that laughter is
Have fun
born of tension, stress and pain,
so most people need not worry
We can encourage everyday laughter
about being able to laugh. Stress
at home by being playful with our fami-
has been called the number one
lies. Wear a clown nose when putting
health problem today; we’ve all
children to bed. Break up chores by in-
got it.
dulging in a pillow fight. Ease conflict by
Laughter therapy is about learn-
saying something light and unexpected.
ing to laugh freely again at the
Let hand puppets help with family com-
48 NA Triangle
www.natriangle.com
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