Daniel Pink on Laughter

I walk every day, rain or shine.  I often listen to music or the radio on my iphone while walking, but recently I downloaded a book to listen to:  A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future, authored by Daniel H. Pink.  It is a fascinating 'listen to' and in chapter 8, Pink discusses the benefits of laughter by beginning with a discussion of the laughter clubs which have become popular in India and are springing up all over the world - especially growing in popularity in the workplace. 

Laughter, he says, can infect people like a virus.  Start laughing and soon those around you may not be able to resist the urge to laugh, too.  Laughter is all about being in relationship, about sharing and bonding.   It counteracts stress in the workplace (unless the laughter is cruel or meant to ridicule, or is at the expense of co-workers, which can then result in increased stress in the workplace) and enhances the creativity and productivity of both individuals and groups.  It increases energy and creates joyfulness - which he argues - is pure and unconditional - unlike happiness which is contingent on other factors. 

It's hard to feel anxious, sad, angry or distressed while you are laughing (although some circumstances may trigger nervous or fear-based laughter).  By triggering positive feelings, it can enhance intimacy and emotional connection.  The bond it creates acts as a buffer against disagreements, disappointments and resentments, and can often work to diffuse anger, or to check on perspective during disagreements.  Sharing laughter and engaging in playful communication keeps relationships fresh and exciting and full of vitality.  It enhances both individual and relationship resilience.

Dr. Lee Burke from the Loma Linda School of Medicine in California has found that laughter enhances the immune system because it lowers the level of stress hormones and increases the number of immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies.  Laughter also has analgesic properties through its release of endorphins which promote an overall sense of well-being.  This in turn helps with the management of pain and can relieve physical effects of stress such as muscle tension.  A hearty laugh can tone the heart and increase aerobic capacity due to the fact that it increases heart rate, increases blood flow, and improves the function of blood vessels.

Most of us are born with the capacity to laugh.  For most people, laughter is innate.  Within a few months of birth, infants start to laugh.  If laughter wasn't part of your upbringing it's never too late to learn to laugh! 

Think of laughter as a workout, setting aside a time during the day or a few times during the week to seek out humour and lightheartedness  Start by simply smiling and build from there.  People who work as laughter coaches or therapists find that laughter can erupt even without experiencing a humourous event.  Negative thoughts can act as a barrier to humour, so keep a gratitude journal or make a list of the good things in your life.  Try to focus on any positive things that may be happening in your life or in the life of someone you care about. Though we may have to work harder to find humour in something when we are feeling down, it can be done.  Spend time with fun, playful people - people who laugh easily at themselves, don't take themselves too seriously, and who routinely find the humour in everyday events and in life's absurdities.  It may very well infect you in a positive way.  Playing with a pet or with young children can also bring humour and joy into your life.  The laughter of small children is especially pure, spontaneous and infectious. Look for the humour and irony in negative situations.  Try to find something in your day to day life to laugh (or at least smile) about. 

D.

A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, Daniel H. Pink, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., New York, New York, 2006.