The buzz of giving – the free happiness booster

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.
Maya Angelou

I’m a Laughter Yoga Leader. I became involved with this crazy notion many years ago for social connection and for stress busting. Yes, I go to the park most weeks and stand around in a group and laugh for no reason. Weird concept, I know. It has been my carefully guarded secret for many years. I’ve been a closet laugher.

As an accountant and financial adviser, you are expected to be serious, reliable and predictable.  Somehow being a Laughter Yoga leader didn’t seem to fit that picture.  Also, strangely enough, there are lots of social norms around laughter and when it is appropriate to laugh.  If you laugh hysterically, you must be crazy.  Some people have a nervous laugh which can be very annoying.  Even I have a problem with this one.

Over the years that I have been involved with the Laughter movement, it has slowly gained credibility and now I feel that I can come out of the closet and say proudly that I’m a Laughter Yoga Leader.

One of the amazing benefits of leading a group with laughter is that you have the privilege of watching these incredible transformations in people.  You literally watch people’s faces become more relaxed, happier and even more beautiful through the 45 minutes of working with the gift of laughter.

We know as Laughter Yoga leaders that even a fake laugh can trigger our free “feel-good” hormones of dopamine and serotonin.  Because we laugh in a group and share the laughter, we also increase the hormone oxytocin.  These three hormones make up the Happiness Trifecta.

Now, you don’t have to be crazy like me and go to the park and laugh for no reason.  You can trigger these same hormones through the act of giving.  As humans, we are social animals, so we are wired to help one another.  If fact, it is the major reason why we are so dominant on the earth.

Neuroscience has demonstrated that giving is a powerful pathway for creating more personal joy and improving overall health because the act of giving releases the happiness hormones.  There is a buzz to giving that boosts your happiness.

Serotonin is connected to sleep, digestion, memory, learning and appetite.  Dopamine is connected to motivation and arousal.  Oxytocin reduces blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol as well as being anti-inflammatory.  Oxytocin is the bonding hormone, so it reduces social fears and allows trust and empathy to be enhanced. 

So, if giving allows us to secrete all these chemicals at once, just do it!  You will be healthier and happier.

Helping others can take on many forms.  It can be as simple as a smile or opening a door.  Anytime you step outside yourself to consider someone else and help (with permission) something wonderful happens to you and the person you give to.  When you acknowledge what someone has done with some thoughtful words and a smile, it’s so wonderful to watch the joy in their face.  Plus, you have the added bonus of helping your health and wellbeing as well.

Co-operation and collaboration in a work place can be another way of giving.  Leaders need to realise that this is a simple tool to have a happy and healthy work place.  More on this concept next week.

Of course, if you are really feeling adventuresome and want to enhance your health and wellbeing even more you could always come to the park or another laughter club and experience the benefits of laughter for no reason.  I can guarantee you will feel relaxed, energised and happy. Giving the gift of laughter in a safe environment – Oh! What a feeling!

My next Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Program is on 8th and 9th November, 2018.