On a recent hypnotherapy diploma training course, I had just finished doing a practical hypnosis demonstration at the front of class and took some time to explain some of what I had done and the reasons for those things. Just a small point was that the lovely man I was working with had laughed during the session – I had framed the session in a playful way and we were a bit giggly anyway, and he had laughed happily during the hypnosis. This is fine and contrary to concerns that some have, does not diminish the hypnosis or therapeutic aspect of what we do, far from it. However, if you try to stifle that laughter, or even make it stop, it becomes gloriously impossible to tame if you are not careful. It erupts and can lead to an uncontrollable fit, which is not always the most useful. What to do then? Just be ok with it, let it happen, join in a little bit, accept it.
And by the way, I am deadpan, when saying “it’s a serious business” I was being ironic given the tone of the entire session… Plus, laughter is absolutely the best medicine, right?