Laughter is the Best Medicine!
'Fantastic laughter workshop –spontaneous, infectious and virtually unstoppable—the most hard bitten cynics were rolling around in hysterics –we would highly recommend this workshop because it's accessible to all staff!'
Inge Hunt, Assistant Headteacher-Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Humour is a subjective thing, but setting aside differing tastes it is true to say we all enjoy a good laugh now and then. It is now scientifically proven that laughter does you good, by releasing a rush of stress-busting endorphins to instantly boost your mood. Whether a hearty guffaw or wry chuckle, it provides a release for any pent-up emotions or stress we may build up in the course of our busy day-to-day lives.
This widespread recognition of the beneficial effects of laughter means there are now many therapists and laughter workshops out there offering to help those suffering from stress to use their laughter to get through it. Whilst the therapeutic effects of laughter have been studied since the 1970s, ranging from its ability to beat stress to improving the healthy function of blood vessels, the first laughter yoga club was actually set up in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria who was responsible for the development of laughter yoga in Mumbai.
If LAUGHTER is the SHORTEST DISTANCE between TWO PEOPLE – imagine the EFFECT a LAUGHTER WORKSHOP will DO for YOUR SCHOOL!
Laughter workshops can be in class or team and often work in the same way an exercise class would, with a ‘warm-up’ followed by deep breathing exercises and then a series of structured activities designed to encourage laughter and team build. These will vary depending upon the group, but can include such exercises as ‘silent laughter’ or ‘humming laughter’. After all, laughter doesn’t come easily to all of us, particularly if we are going through a very stressful or busy period in our lives. From a purely physical point of view, the body can’t tell between real and fake laughter, so just learning to go through the motions of laughing on demand, even if we don’t really feel like it, can have a positive and infectious effect!
One of the best things about laughter workshops is that they are suitable for everyone. You don’t have to have any particular kinds of skills or be especially flexible. Schools are one group thought to benefit from this, and laughter therapy has also shown to help mentally ill people. This is why, more often than not, you will find laughter therapists working within the healthcare industry.
If you are interested in laughter therapy, the best thing to do send an email to Laughing John info@teambuildinglaugh.co.uk . As an added bonus, doing a workshop is also a great way for pupils to come together and overcome inhibitions. Some pupils feel more confident to express themselves in a fun atmosphere. In your day-to-day life, these sessions will teach you to practice the laughter techniques at regular intervals throughout the day, and particularly before certain stressful situations such as a presentations or meeting parents!
Summary: Laughter helps us fight stress by releasing endorphins to boost our mood and get rid of pent-up tension. If laughter does not come easy to you, fret not as there is Laughing John www.teambuildinglaugh.co.uk who can unlock the healing power of a giggle!
'We all really enjoyed it and felt relaxed to start the new year!' - Hayeswood School Staff
Let Laughing John do the same for your school!
Laughing John has been spreading laughter through schools and a range of other organisations for 3 years now. He can provide a de-stress session for staff, half a day or day’s programme for your pupils.
20% discount offer on – ends this month!
Email info@teambuildinglaugh.co.uk or call Laughing John on 07545 347462.