12 Wellbeing Practices for Stress Relief and Mental Health

Discover how Laughter Yoga and simple daily practices can transform your wellbeing this festive season and beyond.

As we approach the festive season, there’s something rather special I wanted to share with you – a joyful twist on a beloved Christmas carol that beautifully captures what truly matters for our wellbeing throughout the year.

Michelle Major originally created this wonderful adaptation, and it resonates deeply with everything we practise in Laughter Yoga. It’s a reminder that well-being isn’t built from grand gestures, but from small, consistent practices woven into our everyday lives.

The 12 Days of Wellbeing: Simple Stress Relief Practices

On the 12th day of Christmas, happiness practices bring to you…

🎄 12 Months of Laughter Yoga – Because wellbeing isn’t just for January; it’s a year-round commitment to ourselves and those around us. Regular laughter exercises provide ongoing stress relief and mental health support.

💫 11 Soulful Blessings – Taking time to acknowledge the good in our lives, even during challenging times. Gratitude practices are proven to improve mental well-being.

🧘 10 Mindful Thoughts – Bringing awareness to the present moment, rather than dwelling on past worries or future anxieties. Mindfulness reduces workplace stress and anxiety.

🎅 9 Ho Ho Ho’s – The deep, resonant laughter that comes from our belly and lifts our spirits.

💚 8 Caring Actions – Small acts of kindness that create ripples of positivity in our communities.

😄 7 Ha Ha Ha’s – Simulated laughter exercises that boost our opportunity for genuine laughter.

✨ 6 Affirmations – Positive statements that help reshape our thinking patterns and build resilience against stress.

🤣 5 Belly Laughs – Those wonderful moments of genuine, uncontrollable laughter that leave us feeling lighter and reduce cortisol levels.

💬 4 Kind Words – To ourselves and others, because the language we use shapes our experience and mental health.

🌬️ 3 Deep Breaths – The foundation of Laughter Yoga and a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety in the workplace.

🤗 2 Big Hugs – Connection and warmth shared with those we care about.

🌟 And A Whole Lot of Positivity – Not toxic positivity that ignores our struggles, but genuine optimism built on solid wellbeing practices.

What is Laughter Yoga? A Natural Approach to Stress Relief

What I particularly love about this version is that it reminds us that well-being isn’t about waiting to feel happy before we can laugh or take care of ourselves. It’s about taking action, even when we’re struggling.

As someone who came to Laughter Yoga through my own experience with depression, I understand the scepticism that can arise when faced with unique wellbeing workshops. I know what it’s like to feel that nothing will help, that laughter seems impossible.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: you don’t need to feel happy to laugh.

How Laughter Yoga Works for Mental Health

Laughter Yoga uses simulated laughter exercises – no jokes, comedy, or humour required. These exercises combine intentional laughter with yogic breathing, and they work because our bodies don’t distinguish between simulated and genuine laughter. The physiological benefits are the same:

• Reduced stress hormones (cortisol)
• Increased endorphins (natural mood boosters)
• Better oxygen flow to the brain and body
• Improved immune system function
• Natural pain relief
• Enhanced team connection and workplace morale

Building Your Wellbeing Foundation: Practical Stress Management Techniques

Each element in this festive verse represents a building block of wellbeing that you can implement immediately:

Pranyama Breathing for Anxiety Relief

Those three deep breaths aren’t just a nice idea; they’re essential. Deep, diaphragmatic breathing activates our parasympathetic nervous system, helping us move from stress response to rest and recovery. This simple technique can be used anywhere – at your desk, in meetings, or during challenging moments.

Workplace Stress Relief

From the simulated exercises (7 Ha Ha Ha’s, 9 Ho Ho Ho’s) to the genuine belly laughs they inspire, laughter is a powerful tool for managing life and work challenges. Research shows that laughter in the workplace:

• Improves team cohesion
• Increases creativity and problem-solving
• Reduces burnout
• Enhances employee engagement
• Creates a positive company culture

The Connection Practices for Mental Wellbeing

Kind words, caring actions, and hugs remind us that well-being isn’t a solo journey. We’re meant to support and uplift each other. These social connections are vital for mental health and resilience.

Managing Depression and Anxiety

Mindful thoughts, affirmations, and soulful blessings help us stay grounded and grateful, even when life feels overwhelming. Combining mindfulness with Laughter Yoga creates a comprehensive approach to mental health support.

The Ripple Effect: How Laughter Yoga Benefits Organisations

One of the most beautiful aspects of these practices is the ripple effect they create. When we laugh, breathe deeply, offer kind words, and take caring actions, we don’t just improve our own wellbeing – we positively impact everyone around us.

I’ve witnessed this countless times in wellness workshops across Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, and throughout the UK. Someone arrives sceptical, perhaps struggling with stress, anxiety, or simply feeling disconnected. Through Laughter Yoga exercises, they begin to breathe more deeply, their shoulders drop, and their face softens. And gradually, that simulated laughter becomes genuine.

Laughter Yoga for Businesses and Organisations

This transformation isn’t just individual – it spreads throughout the room, creating a shared experience of joy and connection. This is particularly powerful for:

• Corporate wellness programmes – Reducing workplace stress and improving employee mental health
• Mental health organisations – Providing accessible, evidence-based stress relief techniques
• Community groups – Building connection and resilience within communities
• Conference ice-breakers – Creating positive, energised atmospheres for events
• Team building activities – Fostering genuine connection and improved communication

Laughter Yoga Training: Become a Certified Leader

For those interested in bringing these practices to their own communities or organisations, Serious Laughter offers accredited Laughter Yoga Leader Training courses. These courses, available both in-person and online, are recognised by the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) and provide you with the skills to:

• Lead Laughter Yoga sessions confidently
• Adapt exercises for different audiences and settings
• Understand the science behind laughter therapy
• Create safe, inclusive wellbeing spaces
• Support others in managing stress and improving mental health

Looking Ahead: Wellbeing Practices for the New Year

As we close this year and look towards the next, I’m genuinely excited about another 12 months filled with laughter and positive change. Whether you’re managing work stress, coping with life’s challenges, dealing with depression or anxiety, or simply seeking more joy and connection, these practices offer a foundation for genuine wellbeing.

Laughter Yoga has brought the entire Serious Laughter community and me so much this year. It’s given us tools to cope with difficult moments, connected us with wonderful people, and reminded us that even in darkness, we can find light – or create it ourselves.

Start Your Wellbeing Journey Today

I hope you’ll join me in carrying these practices into the new year. You don’t need to do all twelve at once. Start with three deep breaths. Add some intentional laughter. Speak four kind words – perhaps to yourself first. Each small practice builds on the others, creating a foundation for lasting wellbeing.

Experience Laughter Yoga in Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, or Anywhere in the UK

If you’re curious about experiencing Laughter Yoga for yourself – whether you’re a business looking for stress relief tools for your team, a mental health organisation seeking innovative approaches, or simply someone who wants to feel better – I’d love to welcome you to the Serious Laughter community.

Services available:

• Corporate wellness workshops
• Conference ice-breakers and motivational talks
• Mental health organisation programmes
• Community group sessions
• Laughter Yoga Leader Training (in-person and online)
• Stress management workshops
• Team building activities

Happy Christmas if you’re celebrating, and if not, wishing you a relaxing and restorative break.

Here’s to a new year filled with deep breaths, belly laughs, kind words, and a whole lot of positivity – one practice at a time.

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Contact Serious Laughter for Wellbeing Workshops

Ready to bring laughter and stress relief to your workplace or community?

Sunny Turner, FHT-accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher and Museum of Happiness Facilitator, serves Manchester, Cheshire, North Wales, and the entire UK with transformative wellbeing workshops.

Contact Serious Laughter today to learn more about our wellness workshops, conference ice-breakers, and Laughter Yoga Leader Training courses for businesses, mental health organisations, and community groups.

What is Laughter Yoga? Read more about what is involved in a Laughter Yoga session here