While laughing at inopportune moments can be embarrassing, it is actually a natural reaction for some people when they are faced with a highly stressful situation. This could be because laughing makes you feel better about what's going on, even if it's a bad situation. It could also be a reaction to relieve stress and release tension. When inappropriate laughter negatively affects your life, however, it would be best to curb your urge to laugh. If that doesn't work, you may need to address the underlying causes of your laughter. When you just can't stop laughing, you can try to handle the situation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: curbing the urge to laugh
Step 1. Distract yourself to avoid laughing
It takes time to learn to curb the tendency to laugh, but in the meantime, distraction is an easy way to stop you. Try one of these options to shift your thoughts away from what triggers your laughter:
Fast distractions
Pinch yourself.
The slight pain will distract you from the urge to laugh.
Count down from 100.
Turning your attention to something mundane, like numbers, will calm your emotions.
Make a list in your mind.
Groceries, things to do, vacation destinations, favorite movies - pick a simple topic and move on. The mechanical list will help you regain control.
Look for a particular color in the room you are in.
Decide on a color and see how many places you can spot it around you. This small goal will shift your attention away from laughter and your emotions.
Sing a song mentally.
It can be as simple as ABC! Thinking of a melody and singing its lyrics is a great way to take your mind off your emotions and the urge to laugh.
Step 2. Identify what makes you laugh inappropriately
Do you laugh from nervousness or to cope with painful feelings? Maybe you laugh because you have a lot of energy or are having trouble finding the words you want to say? Whatever the reason, take note when you realize your laughter is causing you problems.
Consider the time, place, occasion, and people who might be causing your laughter. These things are called "triggers," or triggers. Once you understand what this is all about, you can start dealing with your laughing habit
Step 3. Choose substitute behaviors for laughter
What can you do instead of laughing nervously? For example, you can nod, lick your lips, exhale slowly, or play with a pen. What you decide to replace laughter with depends on the circumstances that cause the laughter itself.
- For example, if you laugh nervously during business meetings, you might start playing with a pen instead of laughing.
- If you tend to laugh at serious times, avoid giving in by taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly.
Step 4. Create a plan to replace laughter
Since you know what makes you laugh and what you can do in its place, tell yourself that you will continue to implement the new behavior. Reviewing the strategy in your mind makes it more likely that you will be able to complete it.
Tell yourself, "The next time I'm uncomfortable in a business meeting, I'll focus on the click of the pen" or "When I'm at the funeral, I'll just nod when people share their condolences."
Step 5. Learn to deal with social anxiety, if you suffer from it
Social anxiety is a common cause of nervous laughter, so learning to deal with it can decrease your desire to laugh inappropriately. Addressing and accepting your anxieties can help you feel more confident in social situations and have more control over your nervous laughter.
Coping with social anxiety
Make a list of situations that scare you.
Think about what makes you nervous and what you can do to counter this feeling. So, be brave and go for it. Take baby steps and bring a friend or someone you trust with you.
Write down the social events you face positively.
Focus on what went well, how you overcame your fears, and how good you felt afterwards.
Identify the negative thoughts that are holding you back.
You may find yourself imagining the future, fearing the worst, or worrying that other people are judging you. Realize when you are not in control of something, such as the thoughts of others, and accept this aspect of life.
Instead, focus on positive thoughts.
Whenever you start thinking negatively, stop. Take a deep breath and push yourself to think of something encouraging, like "I can't be successful if I don't try."
Go to a therapist.
If you need help coping with your social anxiety, make an appointment with a therapist to talk about your difficulties and learn other coping strategies.
Step 6. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation can help you keep your focus on the present and focus on your surroundings. This, in turn, can curb laughter caused by annoying or invasive thoughts.
Basic Mindful Meditation Exercises
Close your eyes and repeat a mantra.
Think of a word or phrase that helps you focus, such as "calm down" or "breathe." Repeat this for 5 minutes a day, allowing thoughts to come and go without focusing on them or making judgments. Just breathe and go back to your mantra.
Scan your body.
Notice if you feel subtle sensations in your body, such as itching or tingling. Let them pass without judging them or reacting accordingly. Slowly scan every part of your body, from the toes to the top of the head.
Recognize your emotions.
Allow yourself to feel things without judging them. When you notice an emotion, call it by its name, such as "sadness" or "discomfort". Stay relaxed, accept her presence and let her go.
Part 2 of 3: Coping with Inappropriate Laughter
Step 1. Move to a private place when you start laughing if you can
When a laugh escapes you before you can stop it, apologize and walk away. This gives you time to calm down and take a few deep breaths before rejoining the group. Learn to recognize the feeling you have before you laugh and try to identify the triggers of the laugh so that you can apologize in time.
- Go to the toilet if you are at a funeral or office.
- Get away or go back to your car if you are at the scene of an accident.
- Leave the room if someone has said something inappropriate.
Step 2. Cover your laughter with a cough if you don't have time to leave
Put your hand over your mouth and cough. If the laughter continues, use the coughing fit as an excuse to go to the bathroom, where you can try to compose yourself.
- This method works well at times when you start laughing involuntarily before you have a chance to stop.
- You can also pretend to blow your nose.
Step 3. Apologize for your laugh, if it still happens
Explain to your interlocutor that you often laugh when you have to deal with feelings that upset you, then tell him that you are sorry if your reaction hurt him. Opening up to him will likely make him understand the reasons for your reaction and may help reduce laughter by making you less nervous.
You might say, "I'm so sorry for laughing at your father's funeral. I want you to know that there was nothing funny to me, but that's my reaction when I feel sad. I hope I didn't hurt you."
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Problems That Cause Inappropriate Laughter
Step 1. Talk to a therapist to address deeper issues
You may not be able to stop laughing inappropriately on your own, and that's okay! A therapist can help you identify the cause of your laughter and recommend the best ways to overcome it.
You can find a therapist by searching online
Step 2. Ask if SSRIs might be a good option for you
People can experience periodic bouts of inappropriate and uncontrollable laughter due to disorders such as pseudobulbar syndrome, bipolar disorder, dementia, stroke, or other neurological problems. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help some people find relief from recurrent bouts of laughter.
Your doctor will be able to determine if it is the right drug for you. SSRIs do not help all patients and may interfere with other medications
Step 3. Get cognitive-behavioral therapy if you have Tourette's syndrome or OCD
Both of these ailments can make you laugh inappropriately. Tourette's syndrome might induce laughter in the form of a tic, while obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can make you laugh out of habit. Fortunately, you can learn to master these behaviors, even if it's not easy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you both recognize situations in which laughing is acceptable, and control the overwhelming urge to laugh
Advice
- Try physically lowering the corners of your mouth in a frown. This can signal to your brain that you are sad.
- Try to stare at a point in the room and don't take your eyes off that position.
- Take long, deep breaths through your nose only. Focus on not opening your mouth.
- Gaze at something in the room and focus on your breathing. Don't look at someone who is laughing or what is causing your laugh because then you will start laughing again.
- Don't feel guilty for wanting to laugh. It is perfectly normal to feel the urge to laugh on serious or sad occasions, as it makes you feel less upset.
Warnings
- Don't bite your lip, tongue or cheek, you could hurt yourself.
- If you can't stop laughing (or crying) uncontrollably at inopportune moments, it could be due to a neurological disorder caused by brain injury or disease. If you think this might be the case, you should consult your doctor.
