Hello all!
Finn here.
I’ve been receiving a lot of information from the people around me (virtually, of course), about laughter.
They’ve all been telling me to laugh, that it helps combat stress.
And I’ve looked at them as if they were crazy. It’s just a noise. What exactly can it do?
And then I looked it up.
According to Mayo Clinic, laughter will increase oxygen flow in your body.
Logical, right?
This oxygen will enable you to survive, but also signal your brain to release endorphins which contribute to lowering stress levels and soothing tension.
Makes sense, but I didn’t believe it. I decided to try something, a mini-experiment.
Here’s what I did.
*Not recommended if you suffer from high anxiety levels. Conclusion below.*
Materials:
-a stressful event that you can recall
-a funny joke, preferably an online video
-a timer
-a piece of paper
-writing utensil
Step 1: Set your timer for 15 seconds.
Step 2: Start the timer, and think about your stressful event for the duration of the timer.
Step 3: Once the timer is over, write down how you feel.
Panicky? Anxious? Tired?
Step 4: Go access and watch your joke.
(Online videos work best for this. Don’t force your laughter. This only works if the laughter comes naturally).
Step 5: If you laugh, write down how you feel.
Look at your results.
Having trouble remembering what you were stressed about? Feel a little stronger, like you can handle a little more?
That’s the laughter in effect.
I’m no scientist, but I can’t deny that I feel like a different person after laughing.
So, from me to you, laugh!
This quarantine is tough. Humans aren’t designed to be isolated from others. But we also have an instinct for self-preservation.
Already, our bodies are confused. And finding ways to keep going and stay motivated each day is easier said than done.
We may not be allowed to go to school, or to interact with people other than our family. But we are allowed to laugh.
So laugh.
Stay safe, smile, and I’ll ‘see’ you next time.
Want more information? Take a look at these resources, and do some research yourself.
-Finn
Comments