Here's a Laugh: Class Benefits Church and Your Health

A new seven-week series of Laugh Out Loud Classes, set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at , could have you positively giddy...and healthy. 

Yvette Halpin, certified laughter leader and the instructor of Laugh Out Loud at Trinity Church, says “Having fun is no trivial pursuit. In fact it it’s crucial to mental creativity, health and happiness. Play and laughter is too often vastly underrated.”

“We need an outbreak of joy to triumph over tragedy of out times. Play and laughter lifts stress, refreshes, recharges, and restores our optimism. It changes our perspective and stimulates creativity and helps renew us.”

Laughter because it is both obvious and pleasurable it creates and strengthens bonds. The classes encourage the rise of more and more laughter and it stays with everyone throughout the week and months. Everyone feels a sense of well being and just plain fun as it releases feel good chemicals in the brain along with strengthening the immune system.

The “charter” members that have been coming to each session since 2005, say their lives have been lifted by the cheer, fun and connection. The best way to laugh is to be around people who are laughing. We are most human when we play. The class is great for all ages.

During one of the darkest times of the Civil War, when neither North nor South seemed to be winning, Abraham Lincoln called a cabinet meeting of a most serious nature. But he started the session by reading a long chapter from a humor book. The indignation of the cabinet members was clear.

Why bring important men here in such a serious time for this frivolity? To which Lincoln replied, “Gentleman, why don’t you laugh? With the fearful strain that is on me day and night, I should die if I did not laugh. You need this medicine as much as I.” Then he drew a sheet of paper from his hat on the table and began to read the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The fee for the seven weeks is $35, but drop-ins are welcome at $5 per class, with proceeds benefitting the church's building maintenance funds. For more information call Yvette 732-469-7858 or send e-mail.

Submitted by Yvette Halpin