You may associate “ho-ho-ho” with the sound of Santa Claus, especially amidst holiday frenzy. Not so for the residents of Abbotswood at Irving Park. They discovered “ho-ho-ho” is a sound used to simulate hearty laughter when they participated in their new laughter club, led by Catharine Sutherland, Assistant Wellness Director and Certified Laughter Leader. Residents emitted hearty ho-ho-ho’s throughout a series of simulated laughter exercises, including Argumentative Laugh, Roller Coaster Laugh and Tea Party Laugh. “During laughter club, I noticed I was hearing people laugh, really joyously laugh, and seeing eyes light up and faces sparkle that I’d never seen light up before,” says Catharine.

Do you want your innate, radiant self to shine brilliantly during the holidays? Do you want your eyes to light up and face to sparkle with joy and happiness?

Here are three laughter club “sizzle” tips:

· Remember to breathe. We often hold our breath when we’re feeling anxious, depressed, fearful or angry. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by a seemingly endless list of burdensome tasks, or lonely, or thrust into a “your family/my family” tug-of-war, take time out and breathe deeply. Push your tummy out as you inhale through your nose. Slowly release the air through your mouth with gentle, staccato bursts of ho-ho-ho (you’ll feel your tummy contract). Repeat several times. You’ll begin to feel life-giving energy from increased oxygen flowing to your brain and the release of carbon dioxide from your body.

· Activate your body’s head, heart and stomach energy centers by chanting “hee-hee-hee” (head), “ha-ha-ha” (heart), “ho-ho-ho” (stomach). Repeat chant several times. It’ll help you think more clearly and feel more energy.

· Be mindful of your blessings. Express gratitude daily for all you do have so you feel prosperous. As we say in laughter club, “keep your eye upon the donut, not upon the hole.”

The holidays are here. What will your experience be?

Let laughter be a power tool in your holiday survival kit. Become a mirth maven. Fill your holidays with an abundance of hee-hee’s, ha-ha’s and, of course, ho- ho’s.

It’s the holidays—C’mon, Let’s Laugh! Ho-Ho-Ho.