The Spatial Phenomenology of Laughter

During a weekend workshop in a sharing circle of gullible participants, I found myself pretending to Eek like a dolphin. As we ‘swam’ around the room, we greeted each other with dolphin slaps, and communicated only through high pitched eek’s. If we ever found ourselves in a lonely part of the ‘sea’ we had to entertain ourselves with body rolls; twisting and turning in the waves of laughter, all the while eeking for others to come over and join us. Translating this experience after-the-fact through words is absolutely impossible, because one’s imagination quickly interprets this scenario as crazymaking. Instead, personifying this intensity of laughter was downright enjoyable because my inner child had missed this outward display of absurdity. As all my logic ran away scared, the irrational joy of laughter amplified beyond the limits of my personal space, expanding outwards into the room for others to also enjoy. Laughter, it seemed, held far more meaning to my life than all the weight of its deliberate suppression and inward containment.

In psychology, embodiment studies focus on the idea that active adjustment of one’s posture, demeanour, style of movement, tone of voice, choice of words, and positive emotional association, improves one’s overall mood. The fake-it-‘til-you-make-it' concept suggests that by experiencing a different psychological response, you override your natural default reaction. In scenario’s where one might otherwise feel completely uncomfortable or be experiencing an intense emotion such as anger, one could literally embody John Travolta walking down the street to the song ‘Stayin Alive’ in the movie Saturday Night Fever, and release excess tension as they walk to the bathroom for a break. In the process of this embodiment, one may break out into a freestyle boogie, transforming the containment of anger by causing an eruption of laughter to manifest in its place.

Similarly, I recall a character on Ally McBeal called John Cage, who utilised ‘smile therapy’ to deal with many of his absurd anxieties. His belief was that if he smiled during a confronting or particularly difficult moment, his expression would affect those around him by encouraging the presence of joy in others. The spatial effect failed to inspire productive responses from his colleagues, often confusing them with his unfamiliar characterisation, however, I applaud his efforts for attempting change in himself and others around him.

The ecstasy of laughter is addictive, and is considered the best medicine to release feel-good hormones, neuropeptides, dopamine and endorphins. During the state of laughter as muscles contract, oxygen and blood circulate around the body more freely, relieving tension lodged in the body. Laughter also overcomes discomfort, either during a state of pain or during a depressive state by increasing resilience. Perhaps that is why laughing groups pop up to assist with reducing stress by enhancing positive emotional based, coping mechanisms. I recall spying on the local laughing group while walking my dog at a nearby park, and being so enthralled at literal hours nominated specifically for pure merriment. These hippies, as I so unceremoniously labelled them in my intolerant perception, sat in a circle taking turns to mime scenario’s and laugh at each other. From making a milkshake to pour over someone’s head, to sprouting wings and flying around the park, there was something so enticing about this active space. Laughter as a space seemed to both unify, ease, entice, and explode a sort of soul passion for life. This fire that rose from the belly as a roar of laughter, and from the imagination as joyous playtime, fused the inner soundscape of happiness with the external reality of hilarity. Members of the group existed within this appointed bubble of self-expression, unfazed by the blind criticism of visitors walking in and out of their creative space.

The depletion of laughter in our lives is a very sad time in history. We experience this momentarily from hearing a horrific news story, during sickness of any sort, or due to a gradual decline of happiness from overlapping and stressful, life events. Laughter is required to relieve mounting tension, and accentuated in a productive environment – such as in a dynamic of supportive relationships; spreads its power to all who are near. While the accentuation of laughter is best narrowed to one’s personal time at the end of a long day, such as watching a comedy on Netflicks after dinner, the importance of laughter fails to intoxicate others with its joy. This private experience does not echo the same shared sentiment it was designed for, providing fleeting reprieve from the suppression of one’s natural joy only briefly. Without laughter oozing like thickly spread jam overflowing to all extensions of our lives, this limited dose may not sustain our fundamental need for euphoric feelings that arouse unlimited positivity and encourage continual soul growth.

Laughter is infectious, and even in the most inappropriate of events, when you get the giggles, it is impossible to supress laughter. Then again, sometimes you don’t even know what you are laughing about – it just seems funny, so you join in the chorus of chuckles. Laughter as a space vibrates bliss as far as the voice can carry, calling attention to a shared sentiment of cheerfulness. When we appreciate everyday moments of laughter, we acknowledge just how precious spontaneous happiness can be to change our outlook on life. Go ahead, and seek out a good laugh.