Laughter Blog
The Fishbourne Centre near Chichester, West Sussex, England was positively rocking with laughter on Sunday 5th May! Approximately 150 people gathered together to mark this global event for world peace, health and happiness and the laughter literally hit the rafters! The talented folk band 'A Bang on the Ear' started off proceedings, ... Read More...
Ever since I started my work (and play!) as a laughter coach I have enjoyed the constant joy of working alongside many amazing organisations and individuals. The very first laughter session I ran was in the living room of a friend's house with just 6 participants. I ... Read More...
Who truly inspires you in life? Who do you know who is a living, breathing, leading example of the values that you uphold whole-heartedly? Who do you look up to and admire not just because they talk a fine prose but they walk their talk with conviction and passion? For me, Dr. Madan ... Read More...
Have you have ever been with a partner who has made you convulse with laughter ? The majority of single people looking for a new partner state 'GSOH' (Good Sense of Humour) as one of their most important requirements. Perhaps that should be 'SSOHAM' -' Same Sense Of Humour As Me' ... Read More...
Have you ever forced your laughter? We can tell instantly whether our own laughter is real or not. Circumstances in life often demand that we 'act' laughter...laughing at the boss's joke perhaps, chortling enthusiastically at Aunt Mabel's oft repeated account of her trip to Margate, or gently chuckling when the children ... Read More...
It's fast approaching. That time of year when constant demands are topped up by festive challenges of every description. Wrestling with huge fir trees, wrapping up unbelievably mis-shapen presents and tackling large flightless birds of the deceased variety amongst many others. Here are some light hearted suggestions for retaining sanity and ... Read More...
Most companies are now fully aware of the dangers and effects of undue stress in the workplace. When employees are stretched to full capacity and have no vent or outlet for tension or anxieties, they can begin to suffer from low morale, poor concentration and lack of motivation. Luckily, many companies ... Read More...
'Having fun' means something different to each one of us. For some, painting toenails psychedelic colours is the height of entertainment. Others find joy discovering how many creepy crawlies live under the rockery in the garden. Some of you might get your kicks training to paddle board backwards across the Channel. Whatever ... Read More...
Let's face it, life throws us all sorts of curve balls from time to time. We don't always feel like celebrating, laughing or even smiling. Sometimes it can be a struggle to just pull back the duvet and heave ourselves into the day. All the positive thinking and intentions in ... Read More...
Can you remember being in a team where laughter was common place, readily shared and even encouraged ? What was that like? Influential leaders throughout history have recognised the need to combine leadership with laughter as a useful and insightful tool for motivating their followers, encouraging them in adversity and valuing their ... Read More...
Have you been into an office or building recently where the atmosphere was tense, employees were hunched over endless rows of computer moniters, there was an almost silent hush in the room and an unspoken layer of anxiety and resignation filling the air? Of course we often need a quiet place ... Read More...
The age old belief that we are stuck with what life hands us in our birth and upbringing is an rusty old mother's tale which disputes the fact that we have control over our thoughts, actions and ultimately our behaviour.During my recent research into 'easy laughers' I have found that ... Read More...
In the busy working day time is tight, with schedules planned meticulously to the last detail, deadlines emerging continuously for reports, and paperwork waiting to be completed. Even with focus, careful planning and determination, the day can easily over run, with people working longer and longer hours to get things ... Read More...
It is true that canned laughter is put in the background of some comedy shows, as it encourages people to laugh more. It is also true that laughter is highly contagious and once you are in the presence of someone truly letting go with laughter it is so hard to ... Read More...
Jokes are all around us, on TV, in live comedy events around the country, in traditional story telling and in the humour section on online or real bookshelves . We all know someone who loves to entertain through jokes and gags, one liners and witty repartie.When we share the same sense ... Read More...
The physical and mental benefits of laughter are now well documented. Laughing helps to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and tension, promote relaxation and improve circulation (as well as many other benefits). Laughing also encourages creativity and playfulness, improving confidence and the ability to connect meaningfully with others. Yet on ... Read More...
I don't know about you, but it isn't very easy to experience a really long, extended hearty laugh nowadays. Let's put it this way, it doesn't happen that frequently on an average Monday, on a trip to the shops or even watching telly. There may be plenty of opportunities to ... Read More...
Last weekend I was lucky enough to spend with a group of wonderful women I have know almost half my life...more than 20 years! When we get together, which is rare, due to family and work responsibilities, there is an instant regressing in our behaviour , as if we are ... Read More...
Last night over the dinner table I was asking my two boys what we could do to encourage people to be more silly in life. Not a good subject for the dinner table, the hilarity that ensued stopped both of them eating properly and it is usually the one place ... Read More...
I walk our dog twice a day, forcing me even in extreme weather conditions to get outside and commune with nature...once I am outside I forget my moans and relax into enjoying the fresh air and the wind/hail/snow/drippy rain....oh the joys of living in England! Our dog is quite young still, ... Read More...
I had a shock yesterday starting up my laughter van, the wonderful trusty white van covered in laughing faces I use everyday. There was a horrific grinding and whining noise coming from the engine, I looked in horror at my son who I was taking to school.I had no idea ... Read More...
Out walking again this morning early I came across a wellington boot placed purposefully on a footpath sign, pointing the way along the shore line. Where was the other one? I had to chuckle, it appeared so obscure and absurd and it struck me how often I laugh when something out of ... Read More...
So often coaches like myself recommend strategies, methods and applications to people without trying them out or literally 'walking the talk' ourselves. I am determined not to do this. I believe sincerely that laughing is a powerful tool to enhance my life. I enjoy using it to rid myself of unecessary stress, relax and ... Read More...
Teaching can be inspiring, life changing and wonderful. It can also be stressful, frustrating and sheer hard work. A teacher's lot is not an easy one...hours of planning, timetabling, parent meetings, extra-curricular activities, governor's reports, the endless paperwork...and that's even before a days work in the classroom! Headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants ... Read More...
How often do you hear people saying, " I am so tired I can't think straight," or "I need a holiday, my brain's all fuddled," or " I feel like I could sleep for a week and then some more" ? In our hectic worlds often we are so rushed, so ... Read More...
There's no getting away from it, life can be dull and dreary at times. There can be days that particularly lack lustre, colour or any specific mention. Without realising it, life can become decidely humdrum and routine, with not even a whiff of a laugh. So what can we change so that we ... Read More...
Today stress is an ever increasing problem in the workplace. Employees are often working longer, harder hours and the amount of days taken in sick leave has risen over the past few years. Employers face an everyday challenge of boosting staff morale, particularly in the recent recession and in a highly ... Read More...
When, in a busy working day crammed full of important jobs, urgent demands and ongoing tasks can we find time for laughter? Everyone knows how to laugh, it is an instinctive refex in all of us that is usually in abundance in childhood, but which lesser so as we enter the often ... Read More...
'Frolic' - To cavort, have fun, make merry, be playful. Have you ever noticed that when someone roars with laughter, they often throw back their head and arms instinctively as their body makes way for the full joyful force? Our bodies were designed to move. When laughing, even if seated, the body ... Read More...
At the ripe old age of sixteen I purchased a fantastic (if second-hand) DT50 Yamaha Trials motorbike from my older sister and thought I was the Bees Knees in my leather jacket and glistening new blue bike helmet. A few days after said purchase I was revving noisily through our town ... Read More...
How do you greet the people you like? It may be with a bear hug, a loving smile, a warm handshake or a smattering of enthusiastic kisses. For some people it may be more restrained, depending on the circumstances, venue or time of day. My 4 month old puppy goes berserk ... Read More...
Having recently acquired a new, gorgeous puppy I realise most of my communication lately has not made much sense and has been carried out in a high pitch, excited voice. Luckily it doesn’t seem to matter what I say, she seems to love it anyway! In this highly articulate world that ... Read More...
Smiling is underrated in my opinion. When you see someone looking quite unhappy and then catch their face lighting up as they exchange a smile with another, you realise something truly lovely is occurring. It is well documented that it only takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three or so to frown, ... Read More...
Life is very serious, full of responsibilities, worries, doubts and challenges. We are bombarded on the media all day long with stories of tragedy, sorrow and horror. Sometimes it is easy to forget to address the balance, to look for and discover the lighter side of life, the ridiculous and ... Read More...
The build up to World Laughter Day has started and there is a growing excitement and anticipation in the air. World Laughter Day was started with the huge vision of uniting people in Peace and Harmony across the world through laughter. There is so much tragedy and grief in this world, but ... Read More...
How often have we thought to ourselves, "I'll be happy when I have....got a new job/saved more money/passed my exam/lost two stone in weight "etc? (I know I have!) We tend to constantly delay our happiness until some time in the future, with conditions firmly in place. The trouble is, when we ... Read More...
What is it about a snowman that makes me smile? Especially the ones with lopsided shoulders and arms like twiglets! I know lots of people have found the snow a pain, a burden and even a danger, but when it first arrived last week I have got to say that ... Read More...
What is the most outrageously silly face you can pull? Can you make a face like you've just eaten a sour lemon/a whole mince pie/chilli pepper? Can you pull a camel face? A face that says "I'm desperate for the loo" or a face that launched a thousand ships? What about ... Read More...
How often do you take time out of your day to play? Is this a strange question, after all, for us adults life is full of demands, schedules, meetings, responsibilities - where does play fit in with all of that? Sometimes our lives are so full to the brim with grown up ... Read More...
How many of us know our neighbours now? How many people do we stop and talk to who are living in our road? If you are lucky enough to live in a strong, connected community you might indeed know your neighbours very well. But most of us don't. We live very separate, ... Read More...
Laughter is an exercise....true or false? According to extensive research over the last few decades – TRUE! Laughing heartily on a regular basis gives the body a thorough aerobic workout – and it’s free! No expensive gym membership, no tight lycra to squeeze into – just put on a grin and start to ... Read More...
How many times do you remember adults saying to you,” don’t be so silly or “oh you are too silly for words!”? Even as a parent now the phrase has left my lips so easily....”oh grow up, stop being so silly!” aimed at my own children, trying on occasion to make ... Read More...
Why is it so funny when someone says “Don’t laugh!”? Why are we sometimes prompted to snigger when it’s really quiet in the library or conference? Stifled snorts and hushed gasps for breath are such a challenge to our self control and dignity and it is such an overwhelming relief ... Read More...
Do you remember a time when you laughed so heartily you clutched your sides – struggled for breath, eyes shining and face beetroot? It doesn’t happen often, the chance to let go with laughter is few and far between in most of our lives. Often we need specific criteria to ... Read More...
