Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

When I lived in India, I walked every morning in a local park, and there were always groups of people standing in circles laughing. I later discovered that they were practicing laughter yoga, an exercise involving prolonged voluntary laughter.

Why did they spend 30 minutes every morning laughing? They were lucky to discover that laughter is one of the best ways to build resilience and improve your well-being.

There are dozens of research studies highlighting the positive physical and psychological effects of laughter. One study found that social laughter releases endorphins in the brain, promoting social bonds. Neuroscientists discovered a focal pathway in the brain that causes immediate laughter when electrically stimulated, followed by a sense of calm and happiness. Another study found that humor improved the short-term memory of older adults.

Laughter reduces stress hormones, improves oxygen flow, relaxes muscles, and strengthens the immune system. The list of benefits goes on and on. Laughter may have more physiological and psychological benefits than almost any other activity we can engage in (other than eating and sleeping).

So, outside of finding a regular laughter yoga class, how do you incorporate laughter into your life? Here are some suggestions:

Find Funny Friends

Value friends and colleagues who make you laugh. Seek out these friends when your resilience is running low.

Watch Comedy Shows

Whether you're at a comedy club or watching late-night comedy on television, watch people who make you laugh. I watch 10-15 minutes of the Daily Show when I need a good laugh.

Play With Children

Children laugh much more than adults. They love to be silly and aren't yet worried about looking stupid. Playing with children reduces inhibitions and permits us to be silly as well.

Watch a Funny Sitcom or Movie

If your resilience is running low, choose a funny sitcom or movie to watch instead of a drama.

Collect Funny YouTube Videos

If you need a quick laughter boost, watch one of your favorite funny YouTube videos. My favorite is the Dover Police DashCam Confessional (Shake It Off). Even though I’ve seen it hundreds of times, it still makes me laugh every time I watch it!

How do you incorporate laughter into your life?

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To learn more about how you and your team can thrive in adversity, visit my website, and follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. And, check out my online Resilience Leadership course.

How to Build Resilience in Light of the Coronavirus

Image by iXimus from Pixabay

Over the past several weeks, I have watched the latest coronavirus (officially known as COVID-19) spread across the globe. It has disrupted travel, stock markets, and many peoples’ daily lives. While there is still a slim possibility you’ll contract the virus, now is the time to think about how you’ll stay resilient during an outbreak.

Since resilience impacts our immune system, building and maintaining high resilience can help your body defend against viruses and bacteria. Resilience will also help you better manage if you or a loved one is infected. It will help you adapt if there are closures or significant changes in your daily life. And, you’ll be more likely to bounce back quickly and fully (and possibly bounce forward) from any negative impact this crisis may have on you.

Here are ways you can build and maintain your resilience given the coronavirus:

Focus on What You Can Control

The coronavirus is unsettling because so much is out of our control. Ruminating about things you cannot control will erode your resilience. Instead, focus on what you can impact. Review the latest CDC information and guidelines and prepare your emergency plan. Seek news and updates only from reliable sources.

Take Care of Yourself

Prioritize getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and making time to recover. Use a potential coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to review your regular routines and make changes if needed for better self-care.

Help Others

Research shows that helping other people will build your resilience. Reach out to your community to see if there are ways you can help with preparations. Donate funds to organizations that support communities hit by the virus. Donate blood to prevent shortages during an outbreak.

Seek Out Social Support

While it may be tempting to isolate yourself to prevent infection, it is essential that you maintain your social support. Get to know your neighbors and local community members. Make sure you can communicate with friends and family virtually if necessary.

Laugh

Maintaining a positive outlook is a key resilience factor. If you’re binging on Netflix, watch comedies. Seek out friends and family who make you laugh. Watch funny videos on social media.

What are you doing to build your resilience in light of the coronavirus?

I help individuals and teams thrive in adversity by providing practical skills and tools I developed over several decades as a U.S. diplomat in challenging environments. Visit my website to learn more about how I can help you and your team better adapt to stress and adversity. With resilience skills and tools, you and your team will be more creative, innovative, and collaborative. Resilient individuals and teams are less likely to suffer from burnout and are more open to change. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter at @payneresilience.

Why the Nationals Won the World Series

I've been a fan of the Washington Nationals for over twelve years, ever since they built their stadium a few blocks from my home. I watched them struggle in the early years, but they slowly assembled a team filled with skilled players.

Even with excellent athletes, they’d get close to greatness and then crumble under pressure.

A decade of disappointments seemed to wear the team down, and they started the 2019 season with some of their worst performances in years. Who could blame them? They'd lost star player Bryce Harper to rival Phillies, they struggled with injuries, and their bullpen was horrible.

They appeared to have settled into being a good but not great team.

Then, Gerardo Parra joined the team in May. He brought with him the magic that gave the Nationals their first championship title - joy and laughter. Parra chose Baby Shark, a silly children’s song, as his walk-up music and inspired thousands of fans to sing along. He got his teammates to dance in the bullpen and wore ridiculous glasses that made everyone laugh. Parra didn't focus on winning; he just wanted to have fun.

And, then, the Nats starting winning. They went from having the third-worst record in Major League Baseball to the third best. They won the wild-card game against the Brewers and then beat the Dodgers with a 10th-inning grand slam to win the division. They went on to slaughter the Cardinals 4 to 0 to secure the National League pennant. After losing three World Series games in a row in Washington DC, they returned to Houston and played world-class baseball.

As I watched game seven from the Nationals Stadium in D.C., I saw one of the best examples of resilience I've ever seen. The Nats trailed the Astros most of the game. In the seventh inning, they exploded with energy, making six runs in three innings to clinch the championship. 

Last week, I posted a blog on how laughter improves resilience. The Nationals showed us what merriment and silliness do for a team. If your team is struggling and you're looking for a way to boost collaboration, cohesiveness, and effectiveness, inject the group with laughter. Encourage play and light-hearted joking. If you have a team clown or two, recognize their value and encourage their silliness and childlike antics. Don't take yourselves too seriously and have fun. Play Baby Shark and dance!

Let the Washington Nationals, the 2019 World Series champions, inspire your team to greatness through the power of having fun!

Tell me why you think the Washington Nationals won the World Series in my blog comments.

I help individuals and teams thrive in adversity by providing practical skills and tools I developed over several decades as a U.S. diplomat in challenging environments. Visit my website to learn more about how I can help you and your team better adapt to stress and adversity. With resilience skills and tools, you and your team will be more creative, innovative, and collaborative. Resilient individuals and teams are less likely to suffer from burnout and are more open to change. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter at @payneresilience.