Santhanaram Jayaram The Laughter Twist.........
Are there any health benefits from thinking funny thoughts?
The short and easy answer is yes, yet almost all of us tend to do the opposite. In fact, most of us are not aware of our
own thought habits. Stop slipping into negative thought patterns and start enjoying benefits from positive thoughts
and especially laughter.
Like me, you may have heard the saying, “laughter is the best medicine”. Advances in neuroscience continue to affirm
the effectiveness of humor in bolstering overall health. So think about it: When was the last time you laughed? How
did laughter make you feel? Did you feel good, happy or maybe a sense of relief?
Another adage: We reap what we sow. in neuroscience terms, the more we think a certain way, the more we will
think that way – positive or negative. This happens because the neural pathways involved in specific thought or a
specific way of thinking are different to others and the more you think a specific way, the more ingrained that pattern
of thinking will become.
That is, the neural pathway becomes more efficient and the brain will naturally default to that thinking in times of
stress, low energy, or idleness. This is what we refer to as ‘thought habits’. And thoughts dictate feelings, so the more
negative you think, the more negative you feel. And as we have learned from health experts, negative feelings (i.e.,
stress) are detrimental to your health. Conversely, positive thoughts result in positive feelings.
But what happens when we encounter a stress-filled situation that can’t just be ‘thought’ away?
One solution: Think of the actions in the past that you took which resulted in positive outcomes. In other words,
challenge yourself by twisting your perception until you get a favorable result.
As an example, I found myself on a crowded bus with very tense people, heading to the Google office in Singapore for
a celebration on a typical work day. There was an interesting and loud elderly gentleman occupying a seat on the bus
talking to himself. Later he added more drama by bursting into song in short intervals, causing a real nuisance,
disturbing the peace and quiet on the bus.
No one interrupted him as he continued to conduct his own symphony. Frowns and tension were visible. As someone
who enjoys making light of almost any situation, I did the only ‘reasonable’ thing I could: I sang an old nursery song.
The result was a sea of laughter that shifted the entire mood on the bus and transforming tension to laughter.
The act of laughing itself is powerful, regenerative and helps us stay healthy. In fact, researchers around the world
don’t underestimate the effects of laughter and considered in the management of multiple chronic diseases, stress
and depression.
While we laugh, the adrenaline in our bodies becomes active, making our hearts beat faster, stimulating blood-flow
and positively affecting our respiratory systems. Laughing assists to produce serotonin which helps our brain reduce
stress.
So the next time you are faced with a perceivably stressful situation, try reframing the situation.
Look at the situation differently, put it into perspective, drop in some humor, break tension to get yourself or others
laughing. This will help you, your employees and family members to be happier and healthier and you will be giving
them one of the greatest ‘free gifts’ you can give to anyone.
Mr Santhanaram Jayaram MBA. Known by his clients as ‘RAM’ is a Business
Communication Coach with Inspired Life Academy Pte Ltd who coach, conduct
workshops, run seminars and create event energizers. Based in Singapore, call RAM
at +65 96991645 or e mail [email protected] or visit http://www.ramitup.com
Free download of chapter one of ‘Ram Up Your Laughter’ at
http://ramitup.com/ram/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/0000002149-sample.pdf