Why I Act Like a Lunatic (At Home)

When we were children, fun seemed to come easier. We look back and remember the countless hours spent imagining a made up fantasy land. Why is this playfulness so important, and so absent in us today?

As adults we begin to become bombarded by stress and responsibilities. Deadlines, parent-teacher conferences, date night, the list goes on and on and we're having a hard time keeping up. Let alone, asking ourselves how we're doing and feeling. We forget to have some me time and when we do take that time, what do we do? We don't even have the slightest idea what to do to recharge. Typically what we end up choosing doesn't satiate that hunger for release. And that's what we're searching for, the release of all those responsibilities and frustrations. We want an escape and not one that'll have us living in a mud hut for the rest of our lives.

This is why I'm making this post. I want to share with you why childlike playfulness is a key element to Laughter Yoga and why it needs to be a part of your daily life.

Laughter Yoga has four pillars, they are: Clapping, Breathing, the Exercises, and Childlike Playfulness. Childlike Playfulness is so important because when we engage in such playful activity, our right brain is being utilized and we also develop our emotional expression.

When I'm home, and not working, I march around the place singing at the top of my lungs in different tones and voices. I also make up my own lyrics. This morning, while I was washing dishes and making breakfast, I sang, "Oh my darlin, oh my darlin, oh my darlin Clementine! She doesn't eat strawberries and she hates clementines!"

I sang it like an opera singer would, then a southern man, then just me. I played around with pronunciation and emphasis. It was so much fun that I actually started laughing at how funny I sounded. I don't do this every morning but, doing it today I noticed a great change in my morning. I had a vibrant attitude and I was happy. When it was finally time to start working, I wasn't hesitant at all. I jumped right into it and I had a clarity and creativity unlike ever before. I got a tremendous amount of work done, more than I had expected, and I didn't feel terrible throughout it all. The focus and enthusiasm kept on. I really enjoyed it and maybe I'll make it part of my routine (if nobody minds hearing me "belt it out" too much).

Not only did I laugh and sing this morning, I cried. I know, you're probably there thinking, "You cried? But, you just said that you were having the time of your life!"

This is where I cannot deny that allowing the child within to take center stage is important. When we were children, if someone hurt our feelings or caused us physical pain, we would let it be known. Even, if it meant crying in front of our classmates or in public. As we grow older we begin to set boundaries for ourselves: we can't cry in public, we won't cry in front of our family or friends, etc. We begin to inhibit the expression of our emotions. "You gotta keep it together" Our inner mantra begins to chastise us for feeling. And, I'm not saying let it out in the middle of a meeting or a department store. All I'm saying is, we need to find effective, simple, and safe ways to release all these pent up emotions.

This morning, when I cried, I wasn't just releasing my emotions, I was expressing them. I remember a time when I thought not crying meant strength. Thankfully, now I know better. Now, I know that crying releases the hormone that makes us sad and provides a sweet release of all the bad things that have built up. The trouble is, some of us have spent so long "keeping it together" that we don't even know how to do it anymore.

Releasing the child within opens the channel to the emotions you feel. Being playful and silly in a Laughter Yoga session isn't just a facade to get you to be more happy, it's a tool, a mechanism to effectively release the pent up emotions you have by redeveloping emotional expression. I encourage all to take on the spirit of play and fun when they're able. It could make a drastic change in your life and in the relationships you have.

Until next time, I'll be laughing!

Barbara