Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.
-- Mark Twain
Laughter is another way to put some distance between you and your feelings. When we are anxious or fearful about how a situation may turn out, we tend to expect the worst, but when we can distance ourselves from those feelings, we can remain in control and not be carried away.
Depression, fear and anxiety carry with them a huge lie. The lie that life is always like this and that we somehow attract these things to us. When we accept this lie as truth, we sink further into despair and it becomes easier and easier to believe the lie. The truth is that emotions are feelings and feelings are fleeting. When we intentionally find a way to laugh into the face of our fear and anxiety, the emotions lose their power.
Qigong laughter is my way of deliberately laughing even though I don't feel like it. I laugh just because I can. I may be deeply depressed or I may be angry or overwhelmed with grief. It doesn't really matter--I laugh anyway.
How does it work? Simple. I take a deep breath, tilt my face up and let go. "Ha, ha, ha!" is all it takes. "Hee, hee, hee; ho, ho, ho!"
Yeah, it sometimes seems silly and I sometimes think that it's not going to work this time, but I keep it up anyway. It doesn't take long. In a minute or two I find that I feel better and that I'm laughing, or chuckling, or smiling because I actually feel like it.
Qigong laughter releases stress, lifts the spirit, strengthens the will, and fends off negative thinking. Best of all, it works instantly! Imagine that! Not only will you feel better but you will receive a boost in physical and mental health. Go ahead. Try it right now. Even a smile will make you feel better.
