Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations 

July 1, 2019

As Victor Hugo, the famous French poet, novelist, and dramatist said:

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” 

Indeed, laughter is healing energy for the Body, Mind and Spirit. It really is all about Energy – Good Vibrations. 

Since the Beach Boys released “Good Vibrations” in 1966, there have been new scientific research and breakthroughs on exactly why and how laughter is good for:

• your physical health, by relaxing the whole body, triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemical, and strengthening your cardiovascular system.
• your mental health, by helping stop distressing emotions and the hard-wired “fight or fight” reaction and stress behaviors.
• your spiritual health, by increasing your bond/connection with family and friends, releasing egoism and defensiveness, and healing resentments. There is an old Yiddish proverb, “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” And Thomas Mann wrote, “Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.” 

For a short recap of the top 10 benefits of laughter, I invite you to watch Jack Canfield, well-known author, motivational speaker and corporate trainer: The Power of Laughter. 

This is a comprehensive list – and I have checked -- there is research to back-up his statements. I recommend this video because it is light on the science jargon, well-founded, entertaining – and he has a really bad joke at the end. At least, it made me laugh. 

Here are 7 ideas to bring more laughter – and more energy -- into your life:

1. Ask people, “what is the funniest thing that happened to you this week?
2. Search for laugh yoga or laughter meditation groups.
3. Play with children or visit a park/beach and watch children & dogs play.
4. Read out loud a favorite joke or select a book from your library’s humor section.
5. Do something silly – like blow bubbles or make funny faces.
6. Watch comedy films by the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, or The Three Stooges.
7. Have a game night with friends – karaoke, cards, trivia. -- you name it! 

Just to get us started, have you ever tried laughter meditation? This is a very fun track: Laughter Meditation  Just join in! If you don’t have a local laughter meditation group, you could start your own with this video. 

I also posted a Blog last July on Laughter Meditation. Check it out here:  Your Invitation to a Party - Laughter Meditation In this newsletter you will see a short instructional guide on how to do a laughing meditation, if some guidance would help you get started. I also love the other video of a laughter meditation on the beach. 

I am keeping this newsletter short & light ahead of the long Fourth of July weekend here in the USA. Talking about the value of laughter does not come anywhere close to the experience of laughing with family and friends. So, get out there and spend time with fun, playful people – and laugh out loud. I know that’s my plan for the weekend! 

Laughter is contagious! 

In closing, I would like to dedicate this post, “Good Vibrations” to a very dear friend, Bob Wolford, who recently passed away. Bob came into every room with a smile and a gleam in his eye – always. He brightened every life he touched – and there were thousands. Bob, I am deeply grateful for our friendship and all the laughs Doug & I shared with you and Donna. Here’s a toast and a song for you: Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys .
 

 Till next time, 

May you be happy now and always, Alison