Laughter is the best medicine

How often do you have a good laugh with friends?

I remember laughing and giggling so much as a teenager, then over the years finding myself becoming more and more serious.

A good friend of mine once told me about a laughter club she used to belong to in Sydney. Each week, a group of people would meet on a beach just after sun rise and just practise laughter exercises. The combination of beach and laughing certainly stuck in mind even after many years of hearing about it!

The other week by chance, I discovered a laughter session here in London. I decided to give it a go. I booked myself in immediately, it was taking place on a Sunday afternoon on the other side of London but knew it would be worth the trek!

Finally the day arrived and the weather couldn't have been worse - wet, windy and torrential rain.

All day I found myself trying to talk myself out of going, even the London underground system seemed to be against me but I managed to get myself there just as the session was starting.

On arrival I was feeling slightly apprehensive. After all those years of wanting to do this, I had no idea what was going to come next. Charlotte, the organiser got down to business quickly. We sat in a circle, she explained what we would be doing for the next hour - a combination of laughing and relaxation exercises. So far so good!

I looked around at the group, just women present... I wondered why no men wanted to join! Just as I commented on this to the group, a funny looking guy turned up. Our group was complete. Charlotte said 'just fake it until you make it'. Apparently whether we laugh for real or not, the brain doesn't know any different and it still releases endorphins throughout the body. It was suggested that we try out different types of laughs, experiment during the session, lose our inhibitions!

So the session began..... it felt strange at first walking up to complete strangers and just laughing at nothing. I did feel self conscious and kept thinking what I am doing here... I was feeling a bit of an idiot. After a while though, my body seemed to relax, the laughter felt much more natural and it was very liberating to just laugh at nothing.

I didn't feel particularly stressed before the session but I could feel the changes throughout my body. My mood seemed to lighten and lots more positive thoughts were being sent to my brain. I was feeling pretty damn good actually.

We did some silly exercises, like pouring a pint of beer into an imaginary glass then throwing it over the nearest person. Followed by walking around with an imaginary box that once opened contained the funniest thing you've ever seen.

The session was making quite an impression on me. By the end I felt connected with the group, without knowing their names or anything about them. It was very liberating!

I tried out lots of different laughs, it was something I had never experimented with before. I felt great as we finished the session and already planning a fun evening for my husband Col and I.

So, how often do you laugh in your day? What fun activities do you do and how often are you doing them?

Charlotte mentioned that even a bit of fake laugher (whilst in the shower!) first thing in the morning can make us feel great at the start of the day. Fake it, until you make it! I am sure my neighbours are probably wondering what's going on in our flat these days. Although I have to add my husband is a first rate comedian so he keeps me entertained a lot of the time!

I am so glad I attended the session, it has raised my awareness of my mood and also how to change it quickly especially if I am having one of those days.

We can't control everything in our day to day lives but bringing more laughter into our lives is a great stress buster and also helps us to see what's really important (and not to worry about the small things).

So, laughter is the best medicine and just what the doctor ordered.

Give yourself a break

How high are your expectations of yourself?

It’s been a funny old couple of weeks. Certainly testing my patience and levels of positivity!

Like many people out there I am trying to juggle quite a lot at once – looking for my ideal job, trying to sell our flat so that we can buy our dream home plus managing regular hospital visits – all have felt exciting and stressful little journeys.

I kind of laugh at the situation I find myself in. Why do we take on so much and expect a lot from ourselves? Is it today’s society expecting it or is it just our own expectations? I guess I like to be busy and achieve things constantly but isn’t that putting a lot of pressure on when things don’t go as you expect or as quick as you would like them to.

This is new terrority for me. Always been goal driven and gone for what I wanted. Generally felt in control and able to make things happen, waiting around feels totally alien.

In saying all of that, this is also a great opportunity to see the positive things that are happening too.

Found myself having wonderful conversations with friends/family and complete strangers, inspiring each other daily. I met a lovely lady whilst swimming last Wednesday who had major back problems (spent 7 months bed ridden), ended up having the most fascinating, heart warming conversation with her on how she has coped and how she always puts her well being first after that experience. I had to leave the pool in the end as I was getting cold but it was worth it!

It’s great to be living in the present more, not planning too far ahead and just enjoying what is really important. Trying to find activities that are fun and don’t cost the earth. You become really resourceful and develop great negotiation skills!

You find yourself listening more to what your true needs are and responding to them. If you can’t look after yourself, then who is going to look after you. I am still learning this but I feel much more self aware (probably because I am having to spend so much time with myself – scary!!).

So, give yourself a break if you too are expecting too much. Do something special for you this week and nurture yourself like you would your best friend.

Have a great rest of week.