I Dare You To Laugh Yourself Healthy:
Posted by Healthy Living on Monday, August 4th, 2008
By Carole Fogarty
Editor of the Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:
Monthly Feature: I Dare You:
“Children laugh over 300 times a day whereas adults laugh only 15 times”. Dr. Kataria Laughter Yoga Specialist A note from me over at Twitter
This Month I’m Daring You To Laugh Yourself Healthy:
Laughter really is the best medicine. So, if you are feeling flat, glum, irritable, grumpy or been way too serious lately, then this months dare is perfect for you. As for me, I simply need to lighten up some more, and it was this very thought which lead me on a fun journey, face to face, with laughter yoga.
The healing benefits are awesome so I’m super keen to enrol in the next upcoming laughter yoga training program down in New South Wales. It would be a perfect addition to my rejuvenation retreats. I’ve even discovered a laughter line created by Jackie Curran which you can call twice a week for a good belly laugh. What a fabulous idea. It’s time for us all to laugh more often, for absoutely no reason at all. I”ll laugh to that.
Ten Awesome Reasons To Laugh More Often:
- Laughter is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to relax your body.
- There is no right nor wrong way to laugh, anyone can do it. No skill required
- Laugh to reduce your stress and tension. Laughter really is a release.
- Laugh to feel young again. Yes, they say laughter is anti-ageing.
- Laugh to strengthen your immune system. Yep, its been proven.Your immune system is boosted for at least 12 hours after watching a funny movie.
- Laugh to let it go and move on. Literally laugh it off, you’ll feel better.
- Laugh to invite play and joy into your life. Kids laugh 300 times a day. How about you?
- Laugh to reduce depression. When you laugh your body releases endorphins so you actually start to feel better. Fake laughter works equally as well says Dr. Kataria.
- Laugh because life is too precious to be filled with excess seriousness
- A good belly laugh is great exercise - go figure. It works both the stomach and face muscles.
Did you know that Dr Norman Cousin has written a book sharing how you he laughed his way back to health (plus vitamin C) from an illness, in addition to discovering that 10 minutes of good laughter gave him 2 hours of a pain free body.
Fun And Easy Ways To Grow Your Laughter Muscle:
Following are just a few ideas to get your “laughter ball” rolling.
- Find a laughter yoga club near you. Visit Dr. Kataria laughter yoga web site.
- Change your screen saver to something that brings a smile to your face.
- Put something funny beside your bed so its the first thing you see in the morning. Or simply have a photo with smiling faces.
- Draw smily faces on “post it” notes and stick around your home and office. Laugh or even smile each time you see one.
- Download the sound of laughter onto your MP3 and laugh yourself silly whilst driving in your car.
- Watch funny movies, comedy shows and cartoons for at least a month
- Leave funny jokes for your children in their lunch boxes, for your family or work colleagues. Spread the laughter bug.
- Discover what makes you laugh. Learn more about your style of humour.
- Keep a journal and write all the funny things that happened to you each day
- Borrow joke books from the library to grow your laughter muscle
- Pull funny faces in the mirror first thing in the morning.
- Create your own laughter mantra. You can borrow mine. “The more I laugh the happier and healthier I become” by Carole Fogarty. Write it on a post it note and stick it on your tea cup or coffee mug.
- Laughter is contagious, visit friends that make you laugh
- Smile at everyone who looks at you, walks past you or catches your eye today
As for me, I’m off to buy the “Mama Mia soundtrack” and sing and dance my day to more laughter when I cook, clean the house, drive, work or just because. In the meantime I’ll settle for watching the movie song clips. Trusting you’ll laugh lots with this months dare.
About Monthly Dares:
As usual all monthly dares are about trying something different (just for one month), stepping out of your repititive routine or even comfort zone with the idea of inviting more life, energy and rejuvenation into your life.
Here’s two of the most popular previous dares I dare you to put yourself first for one month and I dare you to quit participating in gossip:
Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.
I would also really appreciate a Stumble is you loved this article or a Digg
Grab lots and lots more rejuvenation tips from me daily over at twitter.
Similar Articles:
I dare you to be kinder to yourself for one month:
When did you decide to put yourself last?
You absolutely deserve a daily self massage:
15 clever things to know about your breathing:
Hand yoga for rejuvenation and to prevent exhaustion
It’s time to pack your rejuvenation handbag:
Filed in Laughter yoga, Healthy body, Monthly feature: I dare you to do something different, Relaxtion, Stress |

Annie Binnson 05 Aug 2008 at 12:54 am 1Carole:
This is exactly the point I wanted to make in my guest post on the writetodone.com blog!! I’m so glad to see all these great ideas on getting a laugh!
(And I’m listening to the Mama Mia soundtrack from the Broadway show - it’s so great!)
Annie
Healthy Livingon 05 Aug 2008 at 11:26 am 2Hi Annie,
Good luck with your write to done guest post. Let me know when its up.
Mamma mia, here we go again…………
Carole
Hunter Nuttallon 05 Aug 2008 at 11:57 pm 3Annie’s guest post went up a week ago (http://writetodone.com/2008/07/30/how-to-write-funny/) but unfortunately there was no byline at the top, so many people probably didn’t know it was her.
My laughter tip is to watch The Simpsons. How can people say TV is a waste of time if it makes you laugh?