Humans have a “detector” that responds to laughter by triggering other neural circuits in the brain, which, in turn, generates more laughter. This explains why laughter is contagious,” according to Robert Provine’s work [1].
Why Laughing Matters
Laughter is beyond just amusement, it actually bolsters our immune system, allowing us to endure more of life’s discomfort with more strength and ease.
It is even a natural painkiller! The endorphins released during laughter help individuals manage pain and discomfort more effectively.
It even facilitates better breathing as the blood gets more oxygenated during the process.
Laughter acts as a bridge to sociability, making interactions with others smoother and more enjoyable. As communication enhances, there are also more opportunities for empathy to flourish, further deepening relationships.
Business Performance
The stress relief experienced through laughter during personal time can have helpful anxiety reducing effects during work hours.
Because laughter releases tensions, it allows for natural creativity to flow more easily, and for big problems to seem much more solvable with a lighter perspective and more innovative solutions.
Because of its contagious nature, it may spread around a workplace or meeting. This may seem insignificant, but over time, it helps to mold a more desirable place for employment, thereby increasing retention.
Customer and team support enhances, as communication organically improves, allowing for idea contribution and question asking to happen more easily.
Practical Applications
Participating in local improv comedy introductory classes or workshops is an immersive way to overcome barriers and discomfort. These are supportive environment for embracing spontaneity and unleashing creative expression. Inviting an improv comedy expert to lead a workshop within your organization can help mold a more effective workplace atmosphere.
Listen to some comedy before being socially interactive. It does not require very much time to have a significant effect, even 10 minutes will help open up an individual to interact more easily with others, by experiencing laughter beforehand.
The simple act of smiling in front of a mirror is a subtle yet impactful way to cultivate laughter. Even if your initial smile is forced, the mirror acts as a feedback loop, eventually transitioning the effort into genuine amusement. This practice can set a positive tone for your day and interactions.
Find a reason to laugh, even in the face of challenge or struggle. This doesn’t diminish the seriousness of situations; instead, it introduces a fresh perspective that encourages resilience. Even if the situation may not obviously lend itself to laughter, there may be a way to weave it in and lift everyone’s mood.
Some even keep a laughter journal, where they take time to write down events or ideas that happen that bring them laughter. By journaling, one is bringing great significance to the event, reinforcing its impact and future participation.
There is no limit to how you can incorporate this into your daily routine. As you pay attention to your needs & particular taste for comedy, it will become organic for you to invite in states of healthy laughter.
Incorporating laughter into a regular routine can be a deliberate practice that becomes more seamless over time. Especially when one is in a particularly tough spot, allowing oneself to laugh can help recenter to what is most important and unhinge from aspects of secondary importance. As we laugh, we may find that more of our real self is coming through.
It may be easy to perceive laughter as “that pleasant thing that happened” or “something that occurs when things are going well.” However, we can adjust and upgrade our perspective to see that laughter is an incredibly relevant tool in the toolbox. It equips us to tackle life’s challenges with a more upright stature and a centered state of mind.
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