“He he he, ho ho ho, ha ha ha, howdy!”
That’s what a speaker and students chanted after an afternoon spaghetti lunch April 27 on TR Campus.
Danelle Ellis, assistant director of library services, explored the benefits of laughter during the Laughter Workshop. She also spent time showing students some “intense” laugh exercises.
Benefits of laughter have been found to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar, reduce heart problems and lower body weight, Ellis said.
One can get the same results from laughter, “even if they’re faking it.” Sometimes when there are no jokes to say and life feels stagnant, a little silliness can be the elixir to anybody who tries to laugh, Ellis said.
Adults laugh, on average, only 20 times a day while children laugh up to 300, Ellis said.
“By today, we are going to break that average,” she said.
Ellis said the Lamba Laugh is a great warm-up.
“Ha ha ha ha ha, HA!” Ellis said.
“Ha ha ha ha ha, HA! he he he, ho ho ho, ha ha ha, howdy!” the audience responded.
This is great to try when walking through a grocery store, Ellis said. She also had a suggestion for people tired of sitting in traffic.
“Try blowing bubbles,” she said. “You may just make someone else’s day, too.”
One student asked Ellis, “Have you ever been committed?”
It’s not a crime to be silly, Ellis said. If anything, “people won’t demand as much.”
— Alex Sanders
