E227 Unlocking Your Laughter Intelligence with Marla Simlett

Marla Simlett, or as many know her, Marvelous Marla is a speaker, emcee, and registered clinical counsellor who helps people learn and laugh their way to becoming their greatest self.In this episode:Marla explains that she started combining her therapeutic counseling practice with humor because laughter helps open people up, lower resistance, and makes them open to learning and improving.She shares that stress is really tough on our bodies, raising stress hormones and putting us into a fight or flight state where we can't make good decisions.Marla explains that laughter is the quick antidote to stress because it does the exact opposite—it lowers those stress hormones and releases feel-good hormones and endorphins.She talks about how laughter helps you focus your brain on positive things, because what you focus on tends to expand in your life.She suggests three intentional ways to bring laughter into your life: first, make a "laughter checklist" of things that make you laugh; second, find external "go-tos" like a funny friend or comedian for stressful days; and third, intentionally practice bringing up the feeling of laughter inside your own body.Marla explains the practice of Laughter Meditation, which came from Laughter Yoga, where you purposely laugh out loud because your brain can't tell the difference between real and auto-generated laughter—you get the benefits either way.She shares that nervous laughter still gives you all the physical benefits of regular laughter and is actually a learned coping mechanism you use to protect yourself or lighten a situation.Marla's final words of wisdom are to laugh more, suggesting listeners check out her laughter intelligence assessment to find intentional ways to leverage laughter in their lives.Note: Meditation starts at 11:44Contacting Marla:https://marlasimlett.com/On Social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlasimlett/https://www.youtube.com/@marlasimlett8548Blogpost: https://therelaxationlounge.info/unlocking-your-laughter-intelligenceNote: Just a reminder that this information presented here is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace professional help. Ready to Go Deeper?The guide is just the beginning. Inside The Relaxation Lounge Community, you'll find ongoing support, relaxation practices, and a group of women who genuinely get it. No judgment. No pressure. Just real connection with women who are done doing stress alone.https://support.therelaxationlounge.info