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Tuesday 3 January 2017

Why we all need to laugh more!


I love listening to my little superheroes laugh, giggle and tell jokes. At times they are laughing at each other and other times I'm sure that they have no idea what they are laughing at. O laughs in her sleep, I didn't know that was possible, but it is. She gets a really deep belly laugh going!



Their laughter really is contagious and I can't help but start laughing along with them. Their laughter primes my brain, makes me smile and before I know it I am joining in on the fun.

After a good giggle session, we all can't help but feel good inside. Laughter really does make you feel good. And that good feeling you get after laughing remains with you even after the laughter and the reason for the laughter has subsided.

Being on this Autism journey it is vital to have a good laugh every now and then. There are quite a few moments of absolute despair and if I remained in that dark place, no one would want me around. I would not be very pleasant company.

Having a wicked sense of humour, having the ability to be silly and being able to laugh at oneself is a must on this journey.


A sense of humour helps us to keep a positive, optimistic outlook that helps to get us through the difficult situations and the disappointments. Even just a smile can go a long way to making me feel better.

The simple act of laughing triggers the release of natural endorphins and these feel good chemicals help you to feel good instantly. It's an instant pick me up. These endorphins help with our mental health. Laughter can help to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. Some say that laughter can also diminish pain. Laughter triggers healthy physical and emotional changes in the body.

And the best thing about laughter is that it is FREE!

My little superheroes laugh hundreds of times during each day, sure they have quite a few times where there are tears and yelling and screaming but the number of times that they laugh far outnumber the times of sadness. 

As adults, we tend to be more serious, well some of us are, and we laugh more infrequently. The stresses of life get to us and we forget to relax and just laugh.

What we need to do is stop being so serious all the time and actively seek out opportunities for humour and laughter. We need to find happiness, find what brings joy to your life.

There is a clip that has done the rounds on Facebook of a gentleman watching something on a tablet on a train. He is giggling his backside off. Everyone around him has no idea what he is laughing at and yet they can't help but laugh along with him! The sound of laughter naturally draws people together, we want to see what is so funny, we want in on the joke.

Now the thing about laughing is that you can't really enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time to really engage with them. Turn your phone off, switch off the TV and connect with them, truly spend time in their company. You'll all feel happier, more positive and more relaxed. You may not be able to alter the stressful situation, but you can control how you feel about it.

Laughter really is a powerful antidote to stress! Laughter is great for building and strengthening relationships.

So.....

Be silly!

Do your best impersonation of a deep belly laugh that takes over your entire body. Think of a baby laughing, they get right into it. They break out into a big smile, they giggle and the belly starts shaking and wobbling!

How do be silly I hear you ask?

Go ahead and allow yourself some time to break from your normal routine and have some fun with your children. 

Tell some jokes, tell some Dad jokes. You don't have to be a Dad to tell Dad jokes. Watch a comical TV show or cartoon with your children. Read a funny book, there are plenty of hilarious books - my little superheroes love "The Book With No Pictures" by BJ Novak.

Share a funny story. Make up a nonsensical story with your children. Play a game. Run around in the backyard with your children. Pretend you are a child again!

Try spending less time worrying about the perfection of your home and spend more time on your presence at home with your family.

Your children need this time of silliness.

YOU need this time.

Your children won't remember how perfectly neat the house was, they will remember all the memories that were created with you.

To really enjoy life and get the most out of it, you need to live. You need to be silly, at least once! Try it and see how good it makes you feel!



Here are some random facts about Laughter:

Laughter relaxes the entire body and can leave your muscles relaxed for up to a good 45 minutes after!

Laughter burns calories! Okay, so no you can't stop going to the gym but apparently laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories! So schedule a bit of laughter into your day. Your body will thank you for it!

39 comments:

  1. Haha I love the bit that laughing burns calories, give me a good comedy over a run at the gym any time! What is your favourite joke?

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  2. Laughter is truly amazing for the body and soul. I love that you added the calorie intake. Ha

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  3. Funnily we tend to laugh a lot less as we get older. But this is such an awesome post and a reminder that we really need to see a lot of things less seriously and laugh a lot. Good for the ab muscles too :)

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  4. I agree with you!! This post is so inspiring:-) Thanks for sharing with us

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  5. I agree! I love to laugh and I always try to do it several times a day.

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  6. This came at the right time. I was up ALL night last night with a chattering, giggling little 4 month old!

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  7. The giggles of the little ones are so adorable. Wish we giggled as much as we aged.

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  8. Live is too short to be serious all the time - i agree with this.:) :) I love to laugh it makes me happier. Life is better when you're laughing.

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  9. You're right! We all need to laugh more. I keep thinking I need to tape my toddler's laughter because it is such a wondeful sound and it will change as she gets older.

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  10. As what the quotes says - Laughter is the best medicine. Totally agree with your post that "laughter really is a powerful antidote to stress!" Thank you for sharing this with us. From now on, I'll try to be silly.hehehe 😂😂😂 ������

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  11. Life is too short to be serious all the time - i agree with this. :) :) I love to laugh it makes me happier.

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  12. Life is too short to be serious all the time - i agree with this. :) :) I love to laugh it makes me happier.

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  13. I love this! Remembering to laugh throughout the day is sooo important!

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  14. Yes! we all take life too seriously, and need to relax and enjoy life more, laughing is the key!

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  15. I couldn't agree with you more. Sometimes you just need to laugh. It helps when things get tough too.

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  16. I totally need to laugh more. I find I take life way to seriously. On my list this year to find laughter in the daily grind of the day.

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  17. Yes you are right!Laughter can make your life longer! :)

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  18. I LOVE to laugh but more importantly, I love to make people laugh. Its so much fun to see someone break into a big laugh over some silly jokes.

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  19. I used to laugh so much more than I do now. I really do need to take more time to laugh with my kids. Thanks for this great advice.

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  20. Laughter really is the best medicine! I'm a teacher and I love laughing with my kids all day.

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  21. It's true and I totally agree with you. Laughter is the best medicine and been silly once in a while could be fun too. Let's laughter together! Such a relaxing post!

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  22. I think many of forget the value of laughing things off, or finding the funny side to things. We're all just enjoying every moment as it comes.

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  23. Laughter is the best therapy and the good part is that it burns calories. I loved the quote and truly believe that their is certain happiness in being silly and ridiculous.

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  24. Laughing everyday is on my new years resolution! I like seeing people happy and laughing.


    Isaly Holland | http://www.memoriesbyisaly.com

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  25. If you are laughing it makes you feel happier. I find that laughter makes the world go round .

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  26. I don't understand why some people are an serious! Just be happy and have a laugh :) Ree love30

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  27. Life really is too short to be serious all of the time. Laughter is positive. Having a positive life will get you a lot further than a negative one.

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  28. I love to laugh with my kids and we do all the time. I love it best to hear their laughs and make them smile!

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  29. I'm totally with you. I love laughter. Sometimes I'll do stupid stuff just to get my kids to laugh.

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  30. I always forget to laugh, this really has opened my eyes a little more. My little man laughs so much, I should take after him!

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  31. Yes!! Love this! People are so uptight these days! Relax, live a little and LAUGH!!

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  32. Great post! Laughter is sooo healthy for us!! As a child therapist, I can also say that laughing with your child and having those silly moments where you make eye contact and laugh, and really connect, (you know that feeling), is also creating a healthy attachment that is KEY to healthy intimate relationships later in life!

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  33. It is so easy to get caught up in all the to-do and adulting stuff that never gets done. Taking the time to sit with my kids and laugh brings us such a deeper connection and fond memories. My son still brings up times that we belly laughed until we almost peed our pants and it's been a year or so. That's what I want my kids remembering. Not me always cleaning and working, but taking the time to find joy with them.

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  34. I have definitely learned how to laugh at myself. There are just some times that are in need of it!

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  35. I agree!!! Laughing is the cure to everything!

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  36. They do say laughter is the best medicine and I agree@

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  37. Laughter is such a beautiful thing and you simply cannot let it pass especially when shared with your loved ones! It reminds you that despite all the challenges, life is good after all.

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  38. Totally agree, laughter is the best medicine.

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  39. That's just beautiful. Laughter is an important part of my day, especially since it fills you up with so much positive vibes! I love that you share those moments with your kids!

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