Stress is not funny – in fact, a recent study from the American Heart Association shows that mental stress constricts blood vessels and can therefore lead to a stroke. The simplest remedy for this problem? Laughter. Apart from boosting the activity of your immune system’s natural killer cells, laughing helps reduce the amount of adrenalin and cortisol that your body produces when stressed, and expands capillaries, thereby improving the flow of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. The next time stress threatens to get a grip, try one of these easy techniques to lighten up: Yell When pressure’s mounting, even just imagining yourself shouting “Wheeee!” at the top of your voice lightens your mood. Better yet, open your mouth and shout “Stop it now!” Be a drama queen Dredge a laugh out of a last-straw-breaking-the-camel’s-back type of situation by exaggerating your reaction to it. Someone’s left wet towels on the bathroom floor again? Fling your wrist to your forehead and go for it: “MY GOD! Not again! I can’t stand it! …” Have a laugh-fest Rent some comedy classics. Pore over the Sunday comics, or read light-hearted, witty stories. Spin out If you can’t step backwards from stress mentally, do it physically. Stand up from your desk, say whatever’s bugging you out loud, and then spin around in circles. It’s a liberating thing to do, and gives some distance between you and the problem. Play around Find crayons and draw a picture, blow bubbles, or look out some of your favourite old toys and games. Force a smile Dr Bernie Siegel, an expert in the field of mind-body medicine, has said that even if you just pretend to be happy, by forcing a smile or a laugh, your body will still react by producing fewer stress hormones.
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