Being aware of our stress levels is incredibly important.  The older we get, the more susceptible we become to its effects on us. The observance of Stress Awareness Month in April began in 1992 to raise awareness about the causes and ways to manage stress in our modern world.

There are different types of stress.

• Acute (short-term – tests, hassles)
• Chronic (severe and enduring – often caused by life events)

Both types cause a diminished immune system, increased cortisol and adrenaline in varying amounts.

What we do know is that our neurotransmitters and cortisol communicate with other organs and systems within our body, and the repeated activation of these systems leads to poor immune outcomes in cells, blood, and vital organs.

We cannot avoid stress… Life does and will always cause stressful situations. However, practising Laughter Yoga regularly can help mitigate the adverse effects of stress on your body, which is often the root cause of many illnesses. Laughter Yoga is a single exercise that addresses physical, mental, and emotional stress simultaneously.

How does it do this?

Through simulated laughter and yogic breathing exercises. Calming and lowering cortisol levels, and helping the body enter a state of relaxation, thereby improving coping with situations.

*A randomised control trial showed that Laughter Yoga potentially produced a buffer to the endocrine stress response. This exercise, which helps us cope with challenges, is perfect.

Adding Laughter Yoga to your business’s wellbeing toolkit will equip your employees to manage acute stress and ongoing stress, which can contribute to illness.

Being aware of muscle tension, irritable mood, over- or under-eating, immoderate alcohol consumption, low libido, lack of sleep, depression and anxiety are just some of the ways stress shows up.

Look after yourself and your employees’ stress containers. Treat yourself well and practice Laughter Yoga to help melt your stress.  More calm, fewer illnesses.

For more information on Laughter Yoga sessions, happiness workshops
and Bollywood Laughter Yoga Dance,
contact Sunny at happy@seriouslaughter.co.uk or call 07974 778091

*See the trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32393092/