Spoken Language

Intro : Anecdote

• walk into glass door

• text/trip

• powerful

• improve health, strengthen relationship, help face life’s toughest challeneges

A few weeks ago, I had one of those days. You know the type where everything that could go wrong, did. I woke up late, missed the bus, and just when I thought the universe was finally done messing with me… bam - I walked straight into a glass door. The perfectly clear ones that sneak up on you. And yep - the door definitely won. But instead of getting embarrassed or frustrated, I just laughed. A real, uncontrollable laugh. And weirdly enough, that ridiculous (and slightly painful moment) became the best part of my day. Suddenly, things didn’t feel quite so bad anymore. Maybe you’ve had similar moments - like when you accidentally send a text to the wrong person or trip over nothing in front of your whole class. It’s embarrassing, sure. But sometimes, laughing at yourself is the best way to get through it. So, that got me thinking - is laughter really just a silly reaction, or is there more to it than just a joke? I believe there is. In fact, I’d even say this: laughter is one of the most powerful things we have - and today, I’m going to show you why. Because laughter doesn’t just entertain us but also improves our health, strengthens our relationships, and helps us face life’s toughest challenges.

1st point: Health

• endorphins - natural chemicals, lift mood + relieve pain

• reduces stress, lowers blood pressure + supports immune system

• relax body up to 45 minutes

• support both body and mind

• funny video

Let’s start with the obvious, but often overlooked: our health. Laughter doesn’t just feel good - it does good. When we laugh, our brains release endorphins - natural chemicals that lift our mood and relieve pain. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and even supports our immune system. It’s basically nature’s free medicine. In fact, research shows that a good laugh can relax your body for up to 45 minutes afterward. So yes - it’s not just a mood booster; it’s a genuine boost to our overall wellbeing. And if something so simple and free can support both our body and our mind, why wouldn’t we take it seriously? Think about times when you’ve laughed so hard after a funny video that your stomach hurt. That’s your body thanking you.

2nd point: Connections

• laughing to close people

• cheeks aching

• not alone, sees world way

Next, let’s talk about connection. Laughter connects us in ways words can’t. We don’t just laugh with people we’re close to - we become close to the people we laugh with. Laughter breaks the ice, breaks down walls, and builds trust. We laugh together before we cry together. That’s how trust is built. Think about a time you laughed so hard with someone that it left your cheeks aching. Didn’t it bring you closer to them, even if just for a moment? Laughter reminds us that we’re not alone - that someone else sees the world the way we do, even if just for a second.

3rd point: Overcoming challenges

• loss illness grief

• not ignoring, give break

• laughter cover up feeling

• nervous, defensive, sarcastic

• sound joyful

• more complex than reaction

• comedians

• resilience

• human, impossible

• overwhelmed

And finally, laughter helps us face life’s hardest moments. It helps people cope with loss, illness, grief.. The list goes on - not by ignoring pain, but by giving us a break from it. Laughter doesn’t always mean happiness. Ever heard someone laugh at something awkward or sad? That’s because sometimes we use laughter to cover up what we’re really feeling. It can be nervous, defensive, even sarcastic. It’s strange how laughter - something that sounds so joyful - can come from discomfort too. That’s when you realise it’s more complex than just reacting to something funny. Comedians often take their worst moments and turn them into something that makes others feel less alone. That’s not weakness - that’s a powerful sign of resilience. Laughter is how we stay human when life feels impossible. It won’t fix everything - but it can give us enough strength to take the next step. So next time you’re overwhelmed, try to find even the smallest thing to laugh at - because that little moment might just help you heal.

Counterargument

• Some say: “Laughter is just distraction.” and “Laughter can be harmful — laughing at others, not with them.”

• “Humour used to exclude, mock + belittle”

• Response: “That shows how powerful laughter is — it can build or break.”

• Statement: “We shouldn’t treat laughter as meaningless - we should treat it with respect”

• Response: “Distraction. Sometimes exactly what we need to keep going.”

• Call to action: “Space to breathe + reset. It doesn’t erase our problems - it reminds us we’re strong enough to face them.”

Now, I know some people argue that laughter is just a distraction - a way of avoiding serious issues. And others point out that laughter can sometimes be used in harmful ways: people laugh at others, not with them. Jokes can become cruel. Humour can be used to exclude, mock, or belittle. And honestly, they’re not wrong. Laughter can be misused. But if anything, that proves just how powerful it really is. Something that can tear people down is also capable of lifting them up. The key is how we choose to use it. That’s why we shouldn’t treat laughter as meaningless - we should treat it with respect. If we understand its power, we can make sure we’re using it to build people up, not break them down. And distraction? Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to keep going. Laughter gives us space to breathe. To reset. It doesn’t erase our problems - it reminds us we’re strong enough to face them.

Conclusion

• Summary: “Laughter boosts health, strengthens relationships, helps bounce back.”

• Reaffirm: “It’s more than a joke — a powerful tool we all should use.”

• Quote: “Laughter is our light — it reminds us we still have hope.”

• Challenge: “Laugh more, share that laugh, take this powerful gift seriously.”

• End with callback: “And if all else fails, watch out for glass doors.”

So, to bring it all together: laughter boosts our health. It strengthens our relationships. It helps us bounce back when life gets hard. Laughter is much more than a joke - it’s a powerful tool we should all use. And in a world that can often feel heavy, laughter is our light - not because it solves everything, but because it reminds us we still have hope.

So here’s my challenge to you: laugh more. Share that laugh. And take this powerful gift seriously.
And if all else fails… just watch out for glass doors.