How joy rejuvenates

 Laughter, in its essence, is more than just a sound. It's a powerful vibration that ripples through the fabric of society, connecting people on a deep, almost cosmic level. Ever been in a room where someone starts laughing uncontrollably, and soon everyone else follows? That's not a coincidence; it's collective energy at work! And this can be seen, even if nobody speaks the same language. A gloomy room, can suddenly become full of warmth. That's actually how I encountered Laughter as medicine, I was on holiday and came across a group of people laughing in a public space and looking really silly. Naturally, because I am a curious being, I joined in. All I remember was thinking, ''I want more of this.'' And here we are today, several years later, still using Laughter as medicine, and sharing this medicine with whoever wishes to experience it.

Laughing together, breaks down walls of fear, judgment, and social tension. In a society that often thrives on seriousness, I mean, everyone is taking themselves very seriously, and people can be very critical, so much so we become overly critical to ourselves - which can be crippling... I found that laughter or shall I say, Joy... is rebellion that can create a sense of unity that transcends words.

Whether it’s a burst of laughter in a coffee shop or a shared joke at work, laughter fosters a sense of community. It reminds us that at our core, we are all human...fallible, silly, and wonderfully imperfect. Imagine how different our social interactions would be if we approached life with a little more humour and a lot less rigidity. 

Beyond the social benefits, there’s something deeply spiritual about communal laughter. Every time I find myself in a larger group of people laughing for whatever reason... even at a comedy show or places where love is shared like weddings etc. It's as if, in those moments of shared joy, there is a reminder of our collective oneness. It is like stepping into a higher state of existence, where love, unity, and light-heartedness reign. So, the next time you feel the urge to laugh,, and it is not at the expense of another or mockery... perhaps... don’t hold back! You're doing more than just expressing joy. You're contributing to the healing and upliftment of society as a whole. And yes, there may be some triggered by your joy, but never take their trigger personally. Mind you, triggers are not always a bad thing, but that's a topic for another day.

I sometimes sit and wonder about why Laughter became a thing that needs rules. Sometimes I get it... other times... I don't. There is this scene that used to play in my mind often, let me share it with you. I am in the park, playing with friends, having a great time, and we start laughing and giggling. One of the parents who was around, heard us laughing and told us that we needed to pipe down, and not laugh so loud. Baring in mind, this was said with a raised voice, louder than any of our laughs. 

After that comment, we all went really silent, and the mood was shifted. It is not like there were any houses nearby that would have been disturbed by our joy, and perhaps the parent was overwhelmed or whatever. I will never know, but the information that we got in that moment, was there are parameters to how and when and who gets to express themselves, especially joy. I see it sometimes in sessions, where people have resistance to laughing loud, almost fearful of it... when we dig deeper and pull at that string, most of the time, it comes from childhood experiences of having their joy, and how it is expressed, restricted.

Now to the main point I am trying to get at here... because I feel that when we understand what is going on, we can lean into the positives of it more. Laughter isn’t just something we do when we're amused—it's an elixir for the body, mind, and soul. When we laugh, intentionally or unintentionally, your body enters a state of healing. The act of laughing triggers a release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These endorphins can create a sense of euphoria and well-being that can last long after the laughter fades. This can explain the buzzing or vibrating some experience when they have had a good fully belly laugh with friends, family or even a session with me. Oddly enough, studies show that laughter can reduce pain, and improve immune function. Laughter literally heals the body from the inside out. 

But the benefits of laughter go beyond the physical. Emotionally, laughter acts as a release valve for pent-up stress and anxiety. When you laugh, it’s as though your worries temporarily dissolve, leaving you feeling lighter and more at ease. That’s why laughter has often been called a “mini-vacation for the mind.” It pulls you out of the past and future, grounding you in the present moment. And in that moment, you’re free. Laughter, in many ways, is a form of mindfulness practice, bringing us fully into the here and now.

From a spiritual perspective, laughter aligns you with higher vibrations. It's no coincidence that enlightened beings, sages, and spiritual teachers often have a twinkle in their eyes and a laugh on their lips. Laughter is the sound of the soul in tune with the universe. It elevates your frequency, making it easier to access love, joy, peace and streams of abundance. So, the next time you’re feeling stressed or low, try laughing. You might just find that it’s the medicine your soul has been yearning for. If you need guidance on how to laugh again, give me a shout.

Incorporating laughter into your daily life is like sprinkling magic dust on even the most mundane moments. Hidden within what appears to be mundane experiences you can find a subtle presence of the divine, and yes – even humour. When we slow down enough to notice, life itself becomes a playful dance, where the sacred and the silly intertwine. 

Think with me for a minute... brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, standing in line at the bank. These aren’t exactly moments you’d expect to encounter The  Divine, but that’s precisely where you can find it if you can allow yourself the space to observe. The Divine doesn’t always arrive with sparkles or in moments of deep meditation. Sometimes, it sneaks up on you in the most unexpected places – like when you’re stuck in traffic, and suddenly the clouds part, bathing the world in golden light, as if the universe is giving you a wink. There’s something  special about realising that the divine exists not just in temples or mountaintop or shrines,  but in the daily rhythm of life. 

 We’ve all had those moments when life’s little absurdities or I like to refer to these instances as jokes... sneak up on us – the moment your perfectly balanced bag splits open, or when you realise you've been walking around with toothpaste on your shirt. These moments can be frustrating yes, but if we pause long enough to laugh, we find that humour is a doorway to divine presence because it humbles us, reminds us of our shared humanity, and invites us to let go of perfection. When you can laugh at the small mishaps, you step into a flow with the universe – one that doesn’t demand rigid control, but instead invites curiosity and playfulness. I sometimes find myself laughing and saying ''I guess that was redirection' hahah'' and stuff like that.

Start by laughing at yourself. Did you spill your coffee for the third time this week? Laugh it off! Did you trip while walking up the stairs? Channel your inner comedian and laugh at the absurdity of it all. Life is already full of enough stressors—don’t let them take away your ability to see the humour in everyday life.

To make laughter a regular part of your routine, set daily “laugh triggers.” These can be anything from watching funny videos on your lunch break to listening to a stand-up comedy podcast while driving. Surround yourself with humour. This can be funny people, humorous books, or even a laughter playlist on youtube of your favourite comedy moments. The trick is to find joy in the little things, no matter how trivial they seem. By intentionally seeking out humour, you train your brain to look for the lighter side of life, turning even stressful situations into opportunities for a laugh.

Life becomes so much lighter when we can laugh at its oddness and embrace the divine in the messiness. We are both celestial beings and clumsy humans, dancing our way through the mystery of it all? 

Create space for laughter every day. Make it a priority, just like you would with exercise or meditation. And watch how your entire perspective on life shifts. Life will still throw challenges your way, but when you’re armed with humour, nothing seems quite as daunting. There is this resilience that you build overtime.

 Laughter can be a handy tool for healing relationships. Whether it's with your partner, a family member, or a friend, laughter has the power to dissolve tension and mend emotional wounds. Unless of course, you are laughing at someone and their pain, or making them the brunt of the joke. 

Like all powerful things, laughter can also be misused. There’s a fine line between laughing with someone and laughing at someone, and the difference can either lift someone up or tear them down. Understanding this distinction is key to building compassionate and supportive connections.

When we laugh at someone, we’re making them the butt of the joke, turning their vulnerability or mistake into something for others to ridicule. In these moments, laughter becomes a weapon, which can often leaving the person on the receiving end feeling small, isolated, or embarrassed. It creates a sense of separation, placing the “joker” in a position of superiority while diminishing the person being laughed at. This kind of laughter is divisive, reinforcing hierarchies and feeding into shame. This is the type of laughter that is generally discouraged and rightly so. It may seem harmless on the surface, but the impact can cut deep, especially if the person being laughed at is already feeling vulnerable.

On the other hand, when we laugh with someone, it’s a shared experience of joy, a way of coming together in mutual understanding and connection. This type of laughter arises from a place of empathy and inclusion, where the person we’re laughing with feels seen, understood, and safe. It’s the kind of laughter that happens when someone makes a joke about a shared experience, or when a playful moment is acknowledged by everyone involved with warmth and kindness. Laughing with someone creates a sense of community – it says, “We’re in this together. I see your humanity, and I celebrate it.”

The key difference lies in intent and energy. Laughing with someone has an undertone of love, support, and acceptance. It’s a way of saying, “I’m not laughing because I think less of you; I’m laughing because I see myself in you, and this moment of shared humour brings us closer.” There’s no mockery, no sense of superiority – just a mutual recognition of our shared imperfections and the joy that comes from embracing them together.

Think of those moments when you’ve tripped over your own feet and laughed it off with friends, or when a group of people shares a collective belly laugh over something silly that happened to one of you. In those moments, there’s a sense of light-hearted camaraderie, where the humour is about celebrating the absurdity of life rather than targeting an individual’s weaknesses. Laughter, in this form heals, it bonds, and it reminds us that we’re all human, and being a human can be awkward sometimes.

By choosing to laugh with kindness, we create a world where humour uplifts rather than diminishes, and where our shared moments of joy become the foundation for compassionate, supportive relationships.

Think about the last time you were in an argument. What if, instead of letting the tension escalate, one of you leaned into humour? It has power to disarm even the most heated disagreements. When we laugh, our ego steps aside, and we connect from a more vulnerable, authentic place. In that moment, it becomes clear that no matter the conflict, the bond you share is stronger. After all, it’s hard to stay mad at someone when you’re both laughing. Couples who laugh together tend to have stronger, more resilient relationships because laughter builds a closeness. It reminds you of the fun, the connection, and the love that brought you together in the first place. You can observe this in family dynamics. Laughter can ease generational gaps and bring a sense of unity and shared joy. It’s the common language that transcends age and background.

Relationships that regularly include shared laughter operate at a higher frequency. They are more harmonious, more fluid, and more forgiving. If you want to heal a relationship, don’t just talk—laugh. Watch how laughter opens the heart, shifts the energy, and creates a pathway back to love.

 Joy isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s a frequency, an energy field that you can consciously tap into. I try my best to explain this in a way it can be understood by almost anyone who seeks understanding. The beauty of this frequency is that it’s available to everyone, all the time, regardless of external circumstances. Think of it as tuning a radio. You don’t have to wait for joy to find you—you can shift your internal dial to that frequency whenever you choose. And sometimes as you shift, Joy is ''revealed''. The first step to tapping into joy is realising that it’s a choice, not a result. You don’t need the perfect job, the perfect relationship, or the perfect day to feel joy. Joy is independent of the conditions around you.

So, how do you tune in to this frequency? Start with gratitude. Gratitude is the doorway to joy. When you appreciate the small things... like the sunshine on your face, the taste of your morning coffee, the sound of a bird singing... it does not have to be a challenging task... you’re stepping into the present moment where joy resides. From that space, it’s easier to laugh, play, and feel free. Another way to tap into joy is by engaging in activities that make you lose track of time. Whether it’s dancing, painting, cooking, or simply being in nature, do what makes your soul feel alive. These activities naturally elevate your vibration and connect you to the joy frequency.

Laughter, of course, is one of the fastest ways to access joy. It’s like a shortcut straight into bliss mode. When you laugh, especially with others, you amplify joy. The more you practice tuning into joy, the easier it becomes to stay in that frequency. Over time, you’ll find that joy becomes less about fleeting moments and more about a state of being—a way you navigate through life. So, next time you feel stuck in a low vibration, remember that joy is always just one deep breath, one moment of gratitude, or one belly laugh away. Joy is available to you. Always. Even if you feel like shit initially.

Happiness and joy are two words often used interchangeably. But they couldn't be more different. Happiness is fleeting, often dependent on external circumstances. It’s tied to achievements, possessions, or even the approval or validation of others. You get a new car, you're happy. You receive praise at work, you're happy. But what happens when those external factors change or disappear? That happiness fades. It's temporary, conditional, and often comes with an expiration date. While happiness feels great in the moment, it can be as elusive as a butterfly... and can feel like it is always fluttering away when you try to grasp it.

Joy, on the other hand, is an entirely different ball game. Joy is internal; it’s a state of being, not a state of having. Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t rely on external circumstances. It comes from a deeper sense of peace, gratitude, and alignment with the universe. You can experience joy in the midst of chaos, uncertainty, or even hardship because it comes from within. It amazes me how, in some of the worst times of my life, I have been able to tap into Joy and use Joy as a tool, as encouragement, as strength. I am a testament to this knowledge and have applied it in my life. Joy is a constant, like a stream that runs beneath the surface of your life, ready to bubble up whenever you choose to tap into it. It’s the difference between chasing rainbows and realising the beauty in every drop of rain.

The real magic lies in understanding that joy is a birth right, not a reward. When you stop chasing happiness and start cultivating joy, you unlock a sense of freedom and fulfilment that goes beyond the material world. Joy is spiritual; it’s a direct connection to The Divine, a reminder that no matter what happens in your external world, your internal world can be built, beautified, and remain a sanctuary of peace and love. So, instead of seeking happiness in things, achievements, or people, shift your focus inward. Joy is already within you, waiting to be unleashed.

When you approach life from a place of intentional joy, you are taking control of your mental health in the most profound way. This doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is okay when it isn’t. Instead, it’s about cultivating joy as a daily practice, a mindset, and a priority. Intentional joy is a hack for overall improvement.

It rewires your brain. When you intentionally choose joy—whether it’s through laughter, gratitude, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty around you—you’re training your brain to seek out positive experiences. Over time, your brain forms new neural pathways, making it easier for you to experience joy regularly. This shift in perspective can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. It helps you navigate difficult moments with more resilience and grace.

Intentional joy aligns you with the frequency of abundance. The universe operates on vibrations, and joy is one of the highest. When you live in joy, you attract more of it. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of positivity that not only enhances your mental health but also shifts your entire reality. You become a magnet for good experiences, positive relationships, and opportunities. Make joy an intentional part of your daily practice, and watch how it transforms your life from the inside out.

Ever had one of those days where you’re so into what you’re doing that time seems to dissolve? That is what is referred to as ''flow state''. The flow state is often described as being “in the zone,” where your mind, body, and soul are working in perfect harmony. You’re fully immersed in whatever task you're doing, and everything just seems to click effortlessly. This state is a direct tap into creative energy. When you're in flow, you become a vessel for creativity, productivity, and inspiration. 

To get into the flow state, you need a balance of challenge and skill. If something is too easy, your mind wanders. If it's too difficult, you get frustrated. But when you're working on something that pushes you just beyond your comfort zone, your brain enters a state of heightened focus. Meditation, exercise, and even laughter can help trigger flow. Whether you're writing, painting, coding, or even problem-solving, laughter beforehand can help ease you into a more fluid and flexible mindset, priming you for flow. Sometimes before a performance, I take myself to a mirror and laugh whilst giving myself eye contact. Suddenly I get this burst of energy, and all nervousness shifts and once I commence with my performance, I very easily slip into flow state.

Flow isn’t just about productivity; it’s a spiritual experience. When you're in flow, you're aligned with a higher frequency. Time no longer exists in the linear sense, yet somehow you are in the present. You’re in tune with the universal energy that drives creation, and you become a co-creator with the universe. It’s no wonder that athletes, artists, and creators often describe flow as one of the most euphoric states of being. Achieving flow is a form of alignment, where your purpose, passion, and potential commune. I encourage you to find what lights you up, let go, and let the divine flow through you.