| There's a relatively new field of | | | | any fun.I couldn't stand it. We quit.Last year while living |
| psychology referred to as happiness | | | | in Mexico, my |
| studies. While I like to imagine | | | | daughter and I joined a gym at which |
| researchers goofing around all day | | | | we busted a gut on every visit. It was |
| with whoopee cushions and googley- | | | | just too dorky for words, and even though |
| eye glasses, it's quite a serious area. | | | | it was sweaty (no air conditioning!) and dingy |
| It poses some critical questions--and | | | | and the equipment was abysmal, there was |
| digs up interesting answers--regarding | | | | always something to laugh about.Here in Buenos |
| what makes humans happy.The givens: love, health, | | | | Aires, we had lots of |
| (relative) | | | | choices of gyms to join. We quickly |
| wealth, and creative outlets | | | | dismissed the big gleaming fitness |
| More to the point: belly laughsEven if we've got the | | | | center packed full of exercisers on |
| love/health/wealth | | | | overdrive. We skipped the |
| thing figured out, it doesn't mean we're | | | | ominously-named "Steel and Blood" |
| having a good time. We can have | | | | gym.We went for the local club on our corner |
| everything we've ever wanted--on paper, | | | | that has regular people popping in for |
| at least--and still be unhappy.Now, that's sad.What's | | | | 30-minute workouts, is decorated with |
| emerging in study after study | | | | super cheesy 80s posters, plays a |
| is that people want to have fun. Well, | | | | hilarious mix of music, and is closed on |
| pardon me for saying so, but duh.Yet, again and again, | | | | Sundays.You see, I want something to laugh |
| we choose to | | | | about. I don't want to be surrounded |
| spend our time on activities that we | | | | by people who view their workout as |
| think will be fun, that might have | | | | the only highlight of their day. And I |
| been fun at one time, but just take | | | | want the bliss of knowing that I can't |
| up time without giving us those | | | | possibly go to the gym on Sunday |
| belly laughs. Worse, many of our | | | | even if I wanted to--I just have to find |
| chosen "leisure" or "recreation" | | | | something fun and active to do instead.As a former |
| activities actually reduce our | | | | fitness trainer, I know what |
| happiness levels!We've stopped paying attention to | | | | we need to do to get strong. But I also |
| what I call the LOL quotient: the | | | | know what we need to do to get HAPPY. |
| frequency of Laughing Out Loud. | | | | And I'd root for happiness over fitnessin any |
| It's amazing how many people can | | | | smackdown contest.Here in Buenos Aires, tango is |
| go through an entire day--or even | | | | huge. |
| longer!--without a single belly laugh.We put our | | | | There are tango halls packed with |
| getting-it-done face on | | | | would-be dancers. People come |
| and just get through the day.That's no fun.The | | | | here on vacation from around the world |
| solution? Pay attention to your | | | | solely to watch the tango shows, take |
| LOL quotient, and choose ways to | | | | lessons, and take their turn on the dance |
| boost it.Let's look at exercise. Now, we all | | | | floor.I can't get into it. Why? Because it is |
| know we need to do it. We also know | | | | so serious! There is no laughing in |
| it helps us feel happy--or at least, | | | | tango. It is earnest, and there are all |
| those endorphins have the power to | | | | kinds of rules and rituals.Give me salsa dancing! You |
| boost our feeling of well being.But sometimes we get | | | | dance like |
| dragged down | | | | a crazy person to happy music, you |
| by the very activity we think will help | | | | can laugh all you like, and you still get |
| us! Are you laughing during your | | | | to wear sexy dresses and fabulous shoes.Pay |
| workout? You should be.At one time, my family | | | | attention to the choices you're making |
| belonged | | | | and take a look at where and when you're |
| to a mega fitness center. Sparkling | | | | laughing--and just as importantly, where |
| new, full of amenities, loads of | | | | and when you're NOT.Focus on ONE area such as |
| classes.It was such a depressing place. The | | | | exercise, |
| women looked absolutely dour. In the | | | | and take a serious look at how much fun |
| locker room, they were sniping | | | | you're having.Remember that laughter isn't just |
| and complaining about their lives. | | | | the best medicine--it's the best exercise.Find ways to |
| The men were running on the treadmill | | | | do frequent sets of |
| while earnestly reading the financial | | | | Ha!-Ha!-Ha!-Ha! and you'll have an |
| magazines.Nobody was laughing...they were not | | | | enviable LOL quotient.It's going to look great on |
| even smiling. Frantic mothers were | | | | you.Maya Talisman Frost has taught thousands of |
| squabbling with their toddlers before | | | | people how to pay attention. Through her company, |
| and after dropping them off in the | | | | Real-World Mindfulness Training, she offers playful, |
| childcare center. Only in a couple | | | | eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. |
| of dance classes were people having | | | | |