Headmaster's Blog

2020-10-02

Many mornings I stand at the school gate and have the chance to welcome pupils as they arrive and also to say good morning to Mums and Dads who I may not have spoken to for some time.  This is a time of day that I always enjoy and, as I walk back to my study afterwards, I often reflect on what a positive and uplifting experience it has been.  So often the children arrive full of enthusiasm, laughing and smiling as they pass me and say hello.  And it struck me this morning how infectious and, indeed, how powerful smiling and laughter is.  When I laugh with someone, my mood is instantly lifted and I genuinely feel ready to face anything afterwards!  So, after doing a bit of research I realise now that there is a significant amount of study that has been conducted into laughter and smiling and this is what it says - laughter can:

• reduce your blood pressure
• reduce anxiety and negative emotions
• boost your immune system
• act as an antidepressant
• improve your breathing
• stimulate your cardiovascular system
• reduces stress hormones
• burn calories
• ​and it has even been shown to relieve and reduce pain

Now if all of the above is true, and I’ve no reason to doubt that it is, then laughter might just be a miracle drug.  And if that is the case, I am going to seek out any opportunity to laugh that I can.  In fact, I’m going to start right now and I know that there is no better way than to visit and spend some time in the Pre-school!

John F Gilmour
Headmaster

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