Outsmarting Stress – The Serious Fun Way

Outsmart stress for healthy longevity.
Janni Goss

I’ve just spent 3 days having serious fun at the Australian Laughter Wellness Conference and Joy Festival.  I know it sounds very woo-woo and hippie yippee. Does it matter that it appears like this?  No, because the science continues to flood in.  There are so many side-effects to laughter and fun that even Google and Facebook have it built into their work program.

I presented the Neuroleadership Institutes “The Healthy Mind Platter” at the conference because one of the platters is Play. Play-joy stimulates the reward centres of the brain releasing dopamine, which facilitates the establishment and consolidation of new neuronal pathways (creativity) and memory (lasting connections).  There is some of the science. 

One of the presenters Janni Goss said that you need to outsmart stress and this resonated with me.  There were lots and lots of other amazing and awesome information and sessions too.  However, this statement triggered a connection for me.

I discovered Laughter Yoga 14 years ago when my 21 year marriage had disintegrated, and I had just survived my first brush with cancer.  I say brush with cancer because I was fortunate to find it early and did not have to undergo any of the heavy cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

I wanted to find some way to meet new people socially that didn’t require going to pubs and clubs because this is not my scene.  It was suggested to me at the Relaxation Centre in Brisbane that I try Laughter Yoga.  Of course, the word laughter caught my attention because I love to laugh. 

Laughing, deep breathing and chanting in a park was extremely weird the first time that I tried Laughter Yoga.  Being an analytical accountant, I was analysing everything to the nth degree.  It wasn’t until the third time when I forgot what other people would think and what I was thinking that I could just experience the impact on my body, mind and psyche.  I have been a laughter addict ever since.

Through this weird addiction, I have met some of the most amazing people all around the world and developed life-long friendships.

Also, I have found that Laughter Yoga has allowed me to outsmart stress in my daily life.

When the alarm goes off in the morning and you need to face the day of responsibility – work, family and other commitments, do you feel uptight and overwhelmed and wonder how you are going to survive the day?  I used to be like that most of the time.

I have found that having the play-joy lubricant of Laughter Yoga in my system, I can manage my emotions better so that the day just flows – most of the time.  Oh! What a feeling!

Of course, I appreciate that laughing, deep breathing and chanting in a park sounds pretty radical and maybe not your “cup of tea”. 

Some of the tips from Janni Goss for the laughter prescription of 20 minutes of laughter per day.

• Share Your Smile!
• Avoid Bad News. Look for Good News
• Play, Laugh and have Fun with the People in Your Life, especially Children.
• Access more Comedy – TV, Movies, Radio, YouTube etc
• Be an Optimist – Have Hope in Your Life.
• Exercise Your Sense of Humour!
• Use Humour to De-Stress. Laugh at Yourself!
• Seek help if Laughter is Elusive.
• Give Thanks for the Benefits of Laughter

Sometimes, it’s challenging to remember all of the above each day, so this is where a Laughter Yoga club can assist.  Seriously, you will have fun and make amazing social connections.  There are 5 clubs in Brisbane.  Just google and the details will come up.

I can honestly say that my life is so much better because I have outsmarted stress with the prescription of serious fun through laughter.  Just give it a go!  You won’t regret it.

More exciting news from the Australian Laughter Wellness Conference and Joy Festival next week.