Laughter at work: A SUPER POWER for your team

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Today, I want to talk to you about something that just might change your perspective on work. A powerful, often underestimated tool that you may have overlooked in your professional toolbox: laughter.

“Linda! Are you talking about laughter? What a surprise!” you might ask!

Yes, you read that right! Laughter has the power to transform your workplace into a more positive, productive and connected place.

All this is confirmed by the customers I work with. After a conference-workshop, team members are in a good mood and leave with renewed energy and a smile. The effects last for several weeks!

Let’s go

Let’s dive into the depths of workplace laughter and discover how it can become your team’s superpower. (And here’s a nice little moving image to get us in the mood! You may have to click on it to get it started, but it moves, I promise.)

Goodbye stress, hello smiles

Laughter is the ultimate remedy for stress. When we laugh, our bodies release endorphins, those little happy hormones that make us feel great, relaxed and at ease. The result? Less stress, less muscle tension, and more smiles. Try carrying a heavy object and laugh out loud! Our bodies are incapable of forcing themselves at this point. It relaxes.

A radiant work environment

Laughter brings that positive atmosphere we all seek in the office. Colleagues laughing together create a warm atmosphere conducive to creativity. The atmosphere at work is one of the key factors in employee well-being and productivity. Laughter has the power to transform a dull office into a dynamic, positive place. Laughter can positively influence your corporate culture, strengthen team spirit and inspire creativity.

Strengthening ties

Laughing together brings us closer together. Shared moments of laughter strengthen the bonds between team members. Whether around the coffee machine or during an after-work outing, laughter creates memories that last. Laughter is the “cement” of professional relationships. And we know it. Relationships between colleagues are at the heart of any high-performance team. Shared laughter fosters communication, reinforces trust and builds solid professional relationships.

Laughter, fuel for creativity

Laughter has the power to unleash our creativity. It enables us to see things from a different angle and find innovative solutions to business challenges. Creativity is at the heart of innovation, and laughter can stimulate creativity in unexpected ways. Laughter encourages divergent thinking, helps find creative solutions to business challenges and fosters innovation. Laughter allows us to “see things differently”.

If we can laugh at all sorts of little everyday things – for example, laughing at our mistakes, laughing at the VISA account, laughing while washing our hands – we might think that by allowing ourselves to laugh, we place ourselves “elsewhere” and we find solutions more quickly to the problems we encounter.

Greater efficiency, less time wasted

Teams that laugh are often more efficient and productive. Laughter helps reduce tension, improve concentration and boost work performance. That’s right! Just think how your breathing changes completely when you laugh. You bring more oxygen to your body and brain. A well-oxygenated brain works much better! You also become more energetic.

The diplomacy of laughter

Laughter is an excellent conflict management tool. It defuses tense situations and facilitates open communication. Laughter can really help teams resolve disagreements constructively… and diplomatically! Try not to get angry or impatient when you start laughing. IM POS SI BLE! Goodbye conflicts!

Laughter, a friend of health

What’s more, laughter has countless health benefits. It strengthens our immune system, activates the parasympathetic system, stimulates the respiratory system, lowers blood pressure and pampers our heart.

Just think about it! Not only is it great to laugh, it’s also great for your physical health! A free aerobic training program!

What are you waiting for?

So, dear friends, why not make laughter part of your corporate culture right now? It could be as simple as sharing a joke every morning, organizing playful brainstorming sessions, starting your meetings or days with a few laughter yoga exercises (no joke! It really works and it’s contagious!) or creating a relaxation corner where you can let go and laugh together (or do your laughter yoga exercises together!). Come on. I’ll give you an example to do with me here.

Laughter is a superpower we all have, so don’t wait any longer. Unleash it and make it an asset to your team.

Laughter is not only good for your health, it’s also a real catalyst for strengthening your bonds, enhancing your creativity and energizing your work.

And most of all, I love to see the shining eyes of employees and team members after they’ve experienced this method, which will become part of their professional toolbox, to everyone’s great delight! It’s just too great!

So, are you ready? Let’s get started!

And tell me how the rest of your day went. I’m sure you’ll have been more smiley, more creative, more collaborative and… happier! That’s right!

I know it. I put it into practice! hihihi!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

P.S. Click on this link to Ask me what I can do to help! Whether it’s a conference-workshop, a regular workshop or a Rire et Chocolat program, I’m here for you!

P.P.S. Can you feel your superhero cape (or super heRose) flapping in the wind?! HAHAHAHA! There it is!

Throw in the towel?

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I just read something that illuminated something in me. Gave me hope.

When you feel like throwing in the towel, I want you to remember this:

Your desire to give up is a temporary, thoughtless reaction fueled by your ego.

It‘s a bad day or a bad week, not a bad life.*
IT’S SO TRUE!

Have you ever had the kind of day where nothing goes the way you want it to, but really NOTHING? A project, a to-do list, people to meet, an important task to finish. You name it!

This week, it seems like the stars are against me (I know it’s not possible that they’re all AGAINST me! it’s an image). HAHA! it’s an image).

Pffffffffffff

Yesterday, on my return from the TV studios where I was the very first guest on Claude Andréa Bonny’s new show (Tout Savoir), I sat down in front of my computer with the firm intention of finishing writing a document that had long been waiting to be completed. I wanted to finish it by the end of the day.

Alas, I had forgotten to set my phone to “do not disturb” mode. So yes. I had calls – that I needed to take. I also placed calls – to people I needed to talk to.

Then I found myself looking for a misplaced email among the hundreds that had remained in the inbox… and, you know how it is! HAHAHA! You search for a particular message and then, you see one that was begging for your attention but you forgot to deal with it. So you take care of it “while you’re at it”.

One thing led to another and the morning ended without even opening the document I had to finish!

No problem,” you might say, “he’s still here all afternoon.

YES BUT…

Some planet must not have wanted me to get involved, because I received an urgent request for a client by text message. It was urgent because the working committee was meeting in just a few hours, so I had to answer all her questions so that she would have all the information she needed to approve my participation in their “All-Staff” project.

Once the meeting with her was over, I had to go to my online follow-up management platform. There I found two more requests waiting to be answered.

For one of them, I first wanted to talk to the person hired to facilitate the work sessions, to check when my program would best fit into their schedule and what type of intervention would best match the spirit of their team meeting.

I knew this host from having come across him several times in the past. So I got in touch with him! We hadn’t had a chance to talk in a long time, so we took a little time to say hello!

Once I had the information, I took the time to prepare the proposals, ask for clarifications and send the information to the customers.

And I go back to my e-mail because, hey, I still hadn’t found the message I was looking for in the morning (I can hear you laughing!).

And the day goes on…time goes on…and time goes on…

Around 4.45pm, I finally realized that I’d lost a lot of time and that the day had been a complete failure!

Of all the tasks I intended to do, I couldn’t cross ANY of them off my list!

It’s frustrating. And I was both discouraged (with myself) and disappointed (with myself).

What I did to change my state of mind

I added two little things that didn’t require much energy or time to my list and did them right away.

  • Send a follow-up message to M.R.
  • Send a follow-up message to P.H.

And one that, despite everything, had been accomplished throughout the day.

  • Clean up my e-mail

I checked off those three things and closed the office for the day. Basta. Better luck tomorrow!

This morning, I read the quote you see. And I feel better reading it (so I was right yesterday! I feel better today!).

You know what I just did?

The laughter of tears.

Yes, yes! The laughter of tears – well felt!

In fact, I invite you to do it with me. Because the situation won’t change. I have no control over what happens. I have control over my attitude.

So, not so good? It’ll pass. Because everything passes.

It’s a bad day.

A bad week.

Not a bad life!

Does it help you to read this too?

You’re welcome!

 

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

*: Thank you Jill Celeste for the morning inspiration!

N.B. One of the things I was taught at university in one of the courses with my favorite professor (Thanks Nicole Bourget!) is that when a person answers “yes but” they are actually saying NO! Did you know that?

P.S. You have to accept that some days, our brain refuses to function “normally” because we’re preoccupied… that’s my case right now.

What I’ve learned in my years of laughter yoga

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I started practicing laughter yoga in 2003. At the time, I was what you might call a serious, stressed-out manager. I’m not sure if the people who worked with me had that perception, as I’ve always been a fairly good-natured, smiling person.

However, I consider that to have been my reality. “Pressurized” by difficult objectives, tight deadlines, the amount of work required… In short, a pot under constant pressure.

When I sent in my registration for the training weekend in May 2003, I knew I was in for something different. But probably not this different!

Here’s what I learned

1. It’s not as hard as you think to laugh intentionally

Once I’ve decided to start laughing, once I’ve made the physical motion to laugh and I know I have to laugh for at least a minute, I do it. What’s more, when we laugh as a group, the simple fact of hearing others, seeing them laugh, knowing that we’re there to do just that – laugh – has a leverage effect on our laughter! Did you know that we have a special laughter sensor in the brain? So when the detector detects, guess what happens!

In a laughter yoga session, we all start laughing at the same time, on the leader’s signal. When he or she says GO, we all go. Even when I’m practising alone, I hear myself laughing, and every time I do, I catch myself thinking how ridiculous it must look to see myself laughing like that, and THAT makes me laugh!

2. Some exercises work better than others

I admit it. I have my favorite exercises. In the sessions I run at the laughter club, the same people often take part every week. I can’t have them doing the same routine over and over again. So I vary. Some evenings, all the exercises trigger my laughter quickly. Other nights, I look at the list I’ve chosen to do and make a note not to do it again in the future! Of course, I always ask the group if they liked a new exercise that I didn’t like so much. If their opinion is positive, then I bring it back for them. But not for me! Silent laughter, for example, is a must, and it’s terribly effective for me. Silent laughter appeals to the ban on laughter!!!! Mischievous you say!

3. It’s definitely an aerobic exercise

I’m hot, out of breath and red in the face! It’s not jogging, but it feels like it. It’s something I keep an eye on when I’m working with a group. How the participants’ faces look. The heart beats faster, the lungs are hard at work… in short, “ça y va aux toasts” as we sometimes say in Quebec! Which means it’s very energetic. Hence the importance of taking the time to breathe properly between exercises – or during my laughter meditation.

4. I rarely laugh this hard or this long on a daily basis

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrratively not! In a laughter yoga session, I can easily laugh for 20 minutes. Not necessarily in a row, but certainly 20 minutes in total. On a daily basis, my laughter only lasts a few seconds. Here and there during the day. And then some! That’s on days when I’m not alone in my office or in a particularly good mood. Most of the time, if I’m focused on my work (whether administrative, editorial or creative), I won’t even smile. Unless, of course, I’m holding a straw between my teeth. I smile. I don’t laugh. So a laughter yoga session is great.

5. I can laugh even when I’m not doing so well

I’ve been through all kinds of personal storms over the past 20 years. Bereavements, job losses, physical injuries, arguments… you name it, I’ve been through it. I remember an evening when I had just learned of the death of a close friend just before leaving for the laughter club. I cried on the way to the community center, and then it was as if I’d put my grief on hold for the hour of the session. I was able to lead the meeting, and when I got back to my car, I started crying again. That evening, I realized that during the hour of the session, while I was laughing with the group, I hadn’t been thinking or suffering about my grief. I had been completely in the moment with the participants. The pain hadn’t gone away. It was just “a little on the side” during those moments.

 

6. I don’t feel like I’m forcing myself anymore

People sometimes tell me that they can’t tell the difference and don’t know whether I’m laughing “for real” or “as if”. And neither do I! HAHAHA! I don’t feel like I’m forcing myself anymore. It comes quickly and stays if I decide to keep going. I think that must be the body’s ability to train itself to do something easily and naturally. Once the habit is well established, the body reacts to the first signal to start! A bit like Pavlov’s dogs! It’s the best conditioning you could wish for!

7. After the sessions, I love everyone

You’re right. I look at people on the sidewalk and I just want to compliment them. I look at them and I SEE them! If I felt anger or impatience towards someone before (I’m normal! It happens to me, yes yes!), after the session, those feelings are gone and have given way to openness and tolerance. I’m not saying that I magically forgive everything. No. What happens is that my heart takes over. Not just my head. Notice how you look at the people who make you laugh. Or those around you after a good laugh. It’s like making room for… love after all! Less judgment and evaluation.

8. Laughing makes me creative

I need to take stock of my achievements over the last 20 years, and I have to admit that laughing makes me much more creative! Of course, I know that laughing activates the left side of my brain, the part linked to imagination, love and creativity. I think laughing does stimulate that part of my brain. On the other hand, I think all those exercises I created by improvising during the sessions based on what the participants shared with me, that’s all about PLAY. I’ve certainly started playing again by practising laughter yoga. Because laughter is a game! At least, the way we start the exercises, the way we interpret reality in a more playful light, is an invitation to play. And play means creativity!

9. I don’t care what others think of me when I lead a session.

HAHAHA! I know that many must look at me and think that I’m not doing anything serious! That I’m maybe even weird or strange or… a little crazy! I know because – I confess – that’s probably what I would have thought myself 21 years ago! As I lead a session, I’m focused on the participants. On their complexion, their faces, their smiles. When I’m with a group, I invite them all to start the exercise at the same time and follow me. No one can judge anyone… except maybe me, because I demonstrate before giving them the GO.

I KNOW how liberating and beneficial what I’m doing to them is. So what do some people think of me? I don’t really care! The important thing is to make sure things are done right for optimum effect. Am I wrong? I laugh! I say the wrong word? I laugh! And believe me, I do goof up sometimes! I’m probably the best example of how to LAUGH AT YOURSELF!

10. All are beautiful when they laugh

Certainly. I have no hesitation in making and statement! Eyes sparkle. Cheeks are rosier. A sparkle lights up the eyes. Even toothless mouths are more beautiful. I read a long time ago that laughter is good for sex appeal. Well, I don’t know, but what I do know is that I’ve never seen a serious face more beautiful than a smiling one. If you’re holding back laughter because you don’t like your teeth, don’t stop! You look at your eyes when you laugh! What’s more, it’s the energy the person gives off that is felt. A beautiful, positive, vibrant, loving energy. Don’t you think that’s beautiful? HAHAHA! I think just like you.

 

 

That’s all I’ve learned… and more! Because my main discovery is that laughing brings out the best in me!

Laugh with me, will you?

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

My TOP 10 laughter yoga exercises 1

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Yes, I admit it. I have favorite exercises!

Because it’s all very well to practice and train, but I definitely have my favorites among the hundreds of possible exercises.

Some quickly trigger my natural laughter, while for others, I “pedal” harder and it’s clear that I’m doing the mechanics of the exercise. Just to “keep myself going” in the motion.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that certain exercises amuse me and make me laugh. However, it doesn’t matter whether I’m just physically laughing and pushing myself a little harder, or whether I’m feeling my laughter welling up from my heart, I feel good. Action leads to emotion anyway.

Often during the practical part of my lectures, I hear people say “Ah that one I liked!”

Imagine that I too have my favorites. But no! I don’t like them all! HAHAHA! Far from it (those who come to the regular meetings of the Gatineau Laughter Club have been able to see this for themselves over the past 20 years!)

Today I’m sharing my TOP 10 laughter yoga exercises. You’ll thank me later!

I’m going to count down.

My favorites

10. The witch’s laugh – I find this one easy to do and it amuses me! Rub your hands together with facial expressions and laugh like a wicked witch.

9. Laugh while you wash your hands – the best way to combine two essential things! Wash your hands while laughing for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

8. Mental floss laughter – you can also do this by flossing your teeth! But for this one, we pass the floss between our ears to eliminate thoughts that might be causing trouble.

7. Cold engine laughter – just like winter! Turn the key once, twice, and the third time is the charm, because the laughter has started.

6. Cocktail (or milk shake) laughter – Mix the imaginary contents of the glass in your right hand with the contents of the glass in your left. Then reverse, from left to right. Then “drink” while laughing.

5. Laughing at crying – Sometimes this is the only way I can remember to change my perspective on events. We bend our bodies as we “cry” and straighten up as we laugh.

4. Cell phone laughter – This one’s so handy! Put your device on “do not disturb” or turn it off and pretend someone is telling you something very funny.

3. Laughing at yourself – Done every day! Laugh at your mistakes with your index finger pointing at yourself, and laugh at your successes with your thumbs pointing at yourself.

2. The lion’s laugh – My heavy artillery! Best exercise for relaxing the jaws. Place your hands on either side of your head, fingers slightly apart. Open mouth wide. Stick your tongue out (really far out) and laugh in this position for a few seconds.

and finally number 1…

Drum roll!

1. Silent laughter – This one always makes me laugh!

Voilà!

Which are your favourites?

Among the arsenal of exercises created around the world, is there one or more that will trigger your natural laughter in the blink of an eye?

Have you put on the really big laugh, the mini laugh, the curling laugh, the migratory bird laugh, the laughing lotus, the lawnmower laugh, the hot soup laugh, the appreciation laugh, the magic finger laugh…

So many of them!

Do you know why there are so many of them?

Because they say that when we laugh, the right side of the brain is activated. Yes! The side of creativity and imagination.

So the more we laugh, the more opportunities we find to laugh!

You’ve seen it all!

So the next time you’re short of ideas for laughter during the day, I invite you to pick from this list. Or choose some from the videos. Put one, two or all of these exercises into practice and enjoy the many benefits of intentional laughter.

My TOP 10 is on top of my toolbox.

When things aren’t going so well, I pull out one or more and put them into practice. It certainly helps me, and I’m much better for it. And so do the people around me! HAHAHA!

Come on.

Shall we do it?

Let’s do it!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

 

 

 

On the Rouuuuuuute!

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If you’re from Quebec, you probably know that I’m thinking of Pierre Flynn’s song.

I could just as easily sing “On the road again” in several versions, in fact. Willie Nelson or Bernard Lavillier.

Because with my work schedule at the moment, I’ve got a lot of bands on the road, and I’m back on the road again. Much to our delight.

And when I say take to the road, I mean it, because the trips I have to make range from 2 to 6 hours to get there. And, you guessed it, the same amount of time to get back!

Which means I spend a LOT of time sitting in my car – driving most of the time.

To keep me alert and attentive

In the past, I used to go to the library to borrow audio novels. I LOVE listening to stories.

The only hitch was that sometimes I became less focused on the road and felt myself getting drowsy. Some voices are so soft and calm that it had a “sleep-inducing” effect on me! And when you’re driving, the last thing you want is to fall asleep at the wheel. Either that or I didn’t want to get out of the car, too enthralled by the story! HAHAHA!

So…

I started listening to podcasts. Of all kinds. Both podcasts that taught me things and others that amused me and made me laugh (the latest being the excellent“Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe” by the late Stuart McLean, my #1 national treasure).

But then again, after a while, my attention sometimes wanes.

Except when they deal with more exciting subjects. Police investigations, for example. Or, for the past few months, my two favorite podcasts have been really inspiring stuff.“We regret to inform you – The rejection podcast” and“Under the Influence” with Terry O’Reilly.

And of course, I listen to mine! L’Élément JOIE and The JOY Element. Still. It’s always good to refresh my memory on all the inspiring conversations I’ve captured over the years!

Still, it can get a bit… sleepy at times.

So Linda, what are you doing? you might ask!

Well, I start laughing!

I surprise you, I know! HAHAHA!

But laughing works on several levels in my body and it both relaxes me and whips up my energy.

Does that seem contradictory to you?

Think about it for a moment.

When you laugh, your body activates – so all your body’s systems activate. By doing so, you increase the oxygen in your body AND IN YOUR BRAIN. More oxygen to the brain awakens my attention. I don’t have to laugh for long for the effect to work its magic. A few 30 seconds and that’s it. For a while. Until I need to laugh again!

However, if I’m in rush-hour traffic or in traffic jams (which works my patience muscles!), then laughing allows me to breathe more. And when I laugh, I breathe deeply. And deep breathing means, “Let’s calm our nerves! The nervous system takes a little break.

There are days, however, when I choose something else: SINGING!

Now I’ve got the whole shebang in my car!

I have several playlists set up for my moods. And the ones I listen to in the car are more often than not upbeat. Not only do I sing, I almost dance in my seat! HAHA! In any case. I certainly jiggle. And that, too, keeps me alert and in a good mood.

Are you trying any of my effective methods? Are you already doing it?

Let me know. I’m interested!

And off to new adventures!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

My “Good Mood” breakfast

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Do you eat in the morning?

I do! And sometimes it’s even my favorite meal.

Almost 4 years ago, I cut out flour and sugar from my diet. I know that for many, this may seem IMPOSSIBLE – even for me at first it was like a mountain whose summit was impossible to reach!

I love bread (especially fresh from the oven!). I like pasta – any kind. I like desserts and chocolate.

Notice how I say I love and not I loved? That’s intentional.

Just because I don’t eat it anymore doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving it! HAHAHA!

And sometimes I feel that my willpower is about to break. But it doesn’t. I repeat to myself the same phrase I used when I cut out cigarettes (Yes. I’ve already smoked!).

My great line?

Whether I eat it all or not, the craving will pass. And it does!

Where am I going with this?

I told you that breakfast is sometimes my favorite meal. Because some mornings, it’s a fiesta on my plate!

Here’s my “Fiesta Breakfast” recipe.

Ingredients for the cake

  • 1 banana (or 4 on of banana) mashed (I mashed potato with a fork)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ on nut butter (I usually use natural peanut butter or hazelnut butter depending on what’s at home)
  • 1/4 T uncooked quick oatmeal.
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Mix together and place in a ramekin or mug.

Microwave for 3 minutes.

Once cooked, place on a plate and top with the “sauce”.

Ingredients for the “sauce

  • ½ on walnut butter
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons hot water

Mix the two with a spoon and, if necessary, add a little water to obtain a sauce consistency (but not too liquid).

You can also choose to garnish with 1 tablespoon full-fat plain yogurt in place of the “sauce”.

Garnish with 2 on of berries or banana pieces.

Voilà!

Not only is it tasty, it’s also a satisfying portion!

No flour. No added sugar.

Full of energy and happy tummies!

Let me know if you give it a try.

And as Julia Child would say, Bon Appétit!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

Celebrating loved ones

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Do you take the time to celebrate the people you love?

To do a small gesture – a little extra – to please them, to make them smile?

Preparing breakfast, complimenting them, winking with a smile, noticing a positive detail… telling them you love them.

No matter.

Do you do that?

Today is my mother’s birthday.

I took the time to make the drive to spend a few hours with her.

And when I say “hitting the road”, I mean driving 4 hours on muddy highways on a Thursday afternoon to celebrate her birthday and her presence in my life.

I’m not saying this to make you think “Oh what a good girl for her mother!” HAHAHA!

I’m sharing this with you because I think it’s really important to CHOOSE where we put our time and energy. The PEOPLE (not the things) in our lives that matter to us are the ones we should celebrate.

This summer, I read something that made an image for me. That of a tree.

Here’s what it basically said

Some people in life are like leaves. They’re there for a while, then they’re gone with the wind.

Then there are other people who are like branches. They stand there and resist, but not everything. Then they fall.

There are also people who are like the trunk of the tree. They are solid and strong, and can be counted on to stay.

Finally, there are the people who are like the roots of the tree. The ones who make everything else stand up, grow, blossom and become strong. The very foundation!

The lesson I learned

It doesn’t matter whether you’re surrounded by leaves, branches, trunks or roots, make the distinction and invest your time where it counts most.

But celebrate every part of your “trees” because, without leaves, we’d have no shade and no photosynthesis! Branches – no matter how small – hold the leaves and… begin their life from the trunk. Roots draw their strength from the earth, and without them, nothing would stand. And every part COUNTS.

Each person is in our lives – whether for a time of leaves, a time of branches, a time of trunk or a time of roots.

I think it’s worth the joy of celebrating every part! Let’s celebrate each person as they deserve.

Laughter, joy and health

Linda

 

My podcast is my DIY!

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And I LOVE DIY! I’d do it more if I had more time.

You may have noticed that I’ve been more active lately with the episodes of my podcast, Element JOY!

For me, my podcast is like my DIY! I do it when I have time.

But right now, I’m TAKING my time because I have several recordings that need to see the light of day! HAHAHA!

Nothing happens by itself

Make contact with people. Then find a time that suits us both. Record the conversation. Take the photo. It’s all sport sometimes!

And once the recording is done, it’s far from over!

All that’s left to do is record the introduction, edit, adjust the sound, upload to the platform, write the text to accompany the episode, add the guest photo, schedule the broadcast date and share the episode on the networks.

It’s all fun to do! It’s like DIY. But you have to get started!

A “labour of love

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to make several recordings. No doubt because it’s summer, guests are more available – and so am I!

This means that the next episodes will be broadcast every Tuesday every two weeks. I’ve got them scheduled until November. Isn’t that great?

Want an idea of who’s coming?

I’ve created a series called “My Magnificent Friends” to give the microphone to people around me whom I find simply magnificent – and inspiring in many ways. So there’s a manager, a retired history buff, a nun, a sexology graduate… and a few other surprises!

My goal remains the same: to share with you nuggets of inspiration, tips and ways that might help us live a less stressed and more joyful life.

I have to tell you, these recording sessions are a blast! Each time, both the guest and I are bright-eyed at the end of this shared moment. Bright-eyed and smiling.

You know what most people say to me afterwards?

It did me a lot of good to think about it. To remember that I have this, that I do this, that I LIVE this! THANK YOU!

Now it’s your turn to enjoy it!

All episodes are listed here, but you can subscribe on most streaming platforms.

Until the next episode, let’s keep smiling!

Linda

Back to school

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September. Back to school. Back to work. The coming autumn.

If you’re a parent and your child (or children) have recently gone back to school, you might like this suggestion to help the whole family cope with these changes more healthily and serenely.

How was your first day back?

Remember when you went back to school in September? Brand new school supplies in your bag. Nice clean notebooks. Brand new pencils. And a sense of trepidation about what lay ahead. The unknown.

Was the teacher going to be nice? What about my classmates? Would I be able to learn the lessons? Would I have a lot of work to do?

What I remember is that with each new year, I set off with a mixture of excitement, apprehension, pleasure… and anxiety.

New class. New teacher. Would they like me? Would I like them?

Finding your place

I can’t say I was the most sociable child at school. At least, that’s not how I remember my early school years. I had friends, yes, but I was rather reserved and studious – although according to my report cards, I sometimes got lost in my daydreams! But I did very well. And that made me really proud!

It was only later that I realized the value of humor and laughter in making friends and getting out of situations! Around adolescence.

However, I remember very well that every time I went back to school, I didn’t breathe much!

And that’s where I have a suggestion for you!

BREATHE IN LAUGHTER!

I have a simple exercise to suggest, and you can do it even if you don’t have a child starting school!

Laugh at the vowels!

You don’t need to read the letters to do the exercise with me. Do it with (or without) your child. Just by looking at me. But DO IT!

Not only do the vowels emit vibrations that are different from one another, but you’ll also have..:

  • Breathed
  • Works your diaphragm, massaging your internal organs
  • Help your nervous system to calm down
  • Oxygenate your body and YOUR BRAIN

Want more ideas for effective exercises to do with (or without) your child? There are many here , and you can also subscribe to the Laughter Yoga School YouTube channel.

Ready for a smooth, serene back-to-school?

You know what to do!

Laughter, joy and health

Linda