Individual Journal Project

Prepared for Julie Pugmire and Delan Jensen

Prepared by Madeline Hall

April 9, 2018

HLTH 1242-400

8:00 a.m.

Madeline Hall 1
 Taking Laughter Yoga has been a great experience, and it is my favorite

class this semester. Coming into this course I did not know what to expect. The

title of the class implies there will be laughing, but I had it in my mind that it

would be a kind of false or forced laughter that is more like breathing; that we

would bring mats and do stretches and meditate. I had no idea that the content

would make me genuinely laugh each time I attended, and that I would learn so

much about life and relationships. Because of what I learned and did in this course,

I feel that I have a better physical and emotional wellness. I have more knowledge

on how to deal with stress, and help others as well as myself to have a happier,

healthier life. Something that I have noticed since taking Laughter Yoga is that I

am more outgoing and better at communicating. I feel so rejuvenated and confident

when leaving class each day which is something that I have struggled with my

entire life that I will take with my after finishing this course.

When asked to choose three journal assignments from this course to

expound upon that were the most enjoyable the first one that I chose was number

five: Relationships, health, wellness and laughter. Gratitude and kindness are

things that I feel are very important that are lacking in today’s society. I have

always known that gratitude is a good thing to have and to express, but after doing

this assignment by being more grateful and keeping more track of those things has

given me more perspective in life and made me find joy in things that I otherwise

Madeline Hall 2
would not have. Having this attitude of gratitude has helped me to swallow my

pride and be more optimistic about my life circumstances and about the future.

Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand in that gratitude is often the result of an act

of kindness, and being grateful makes one want to show more kindness toward

others.

The second journal assignment that I chose was number 7 – Physiology and

psychology of anger. This one was my number one favorite because it was the

most enjoyable and effective activity for me. To be honest I was not sure how

other people would react when either I was mad at them and started rambling in

gibberish, or they were angry and I replied with it. Thankfully I got nothing but

positive results as I was able to get my anger out and improve my mood while also

being inoffensive to others because no one but me knew what was even being said.

I have found myself speaking gibberish more now when I am frustrated with

something or someone because of the activities done in class. A lot of bad

decisions are made out of anger, and venting to someone in a made up language

can really help to clear one’s head and keep relationships strong.

The third and final journal topic that I felt was both enjoyable and beneficial

was number 9 – Why do we need sleep? Everyone needs sleep, and as a college

student I often feel that I do not get enough of it. I have tried things to help me get

a more restful sleep, such as attempting to clear my mind or listen to music, but it
Madeline Hall 3
does not seem to bring results. When reading and doing this assignment, I was

excited to hear that there was more I could do to improve and maximize the rest I

get each night. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and visualization of

a peaceful place has really helped me to clear my thoughts before going to bed, fall

asleep faster, and to sleep more restfully. Getting enough sleep is very important

for both physical and mental health, and can make a very big difference is how a

day goes and what is accomplished. I have noticed a clear improvement on my

sleep these past few months because of these things, and I will surely continue to

use them to enhance the quality and quantity of rest that I get each night, especially

by breathing from the diaphragm as discussed in class. It is amazing how quickly

my body and mind relax when doing this, along with the simplicity of it. The

combination of deep breathing while imagining myself on a beach at sunset is an

effective strategy for getting to sleep, and getting into a daily routine of it has been

very beneficial to me.

I truly enjoyed participating in these three journal assignments, as well as the

other assignments and activities that were done inside and outside the classroom. I

am grateful that I have been able to reduce stress, laugh more, develop good

relationships with my peers, and would highly recommend Laughter Yoga to

anyone who is wishing to forget about their stress and worries for a while and learn

to find more enjoyment and fulfillment in life.

Madeline Hall 4