This month’s health and lifestyle column from Corinne Yeadon, of the Being Better private therapy practice in Skipton

LAUGHTER definitely can be the best medicine, a good laugh has the power to lift us and untie our knots.

Experts tell us, laughter boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure and has pain killing effects. The benefits to mental health are widely accepted, laughter is a relaxant and stress reliever. 

The issue is if feeling low, anxious or stressed, it might feel there is little to laugh about. This got me thinking that actively seeking opportunities for a big belly laugh ought to be an integral part of our self care. Laughter yoga is a big thing, embraced by organisations as a commitment to staff support and wellbeing.

Irrespective of mood there are people in life who provide comedy gold and time spent with them means leaving beaming with joy, achy ribs and teary eyes – in a good way. Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, recounting the experience afterwards.

There is a breadth of comedy available through our various devices, from past to present. Are you a slapstick, frying pan in the face kind of laughter machine or does stand-up or sitcom titillate your funny bone?

Laughter is contagious, who hasn’t had a fit of the giggles at the most inappropriate time or place? Being in tucks of laughter, futile attempts to suppress the giggles, resulting in snorts and noises generally reserved for a farrowing pen.

The more serious the setting the more likely our inner child comes flying out in a blaze of hysterics. Not sure if the trigger is devilment or nervousness? Maybe a bit of both. As children we find humour in anything and everything, snickering at words that sound a bit risqué or poking fun at the absurdity of adults.

Being grown up comes with responsibilities but doesn’t need to be serious all the time, maybe we need to seek out the unfettered chuckling of childhood to give ourselves a boost.