As most of you know I unapologetically blag on about my granddaughter because … well, I just love her, but this week in particular I had such fun with her.

We have started to play a game where we make a den, we creep up on Grandad and tickle him, then run away and hide in the den, in the hope that he can’t find us. Firstly me getting into the den is a bit of a task — she is only 3, whereas I am 63 with much longer legs — but she insists I completely hide in the den. But the fun is when Keith pretends that he can’t find us, then tries to sit on the den. Adie screams at the top of her voice, and laughs really until she needs to run to the toilet! 

When she screams and laughs like this I just find it joyous, and it feels so freeing to hear. There is no censorship, it’s brilliant. As adults we do censor, we may very well feel like screaming sometimes — but we don’t. How often do we laugh so much that our sides ache and our jaws ache? But this is how it is as a 3 year old. 

Imagine how much better it would be to get rid of our frustrations by screaming at the top of our voices, maybe not in the middle of the supermarket, but maybe wait until you get back in your car. 

Then there is laughter … when you laugh, your body produces high-levels of feel-good hormones and these hormones help to relieve stress and relax the body. 

So find something that makes you laugh, maybe a programme on TV or radio, YouTube a comedian that you like and watch some of their clips. or catch-up with that friend who always makes you laugh out loud. Get laughing folks — it’s good for the soul. 

This weekend, scream and laugh like no-one is watching. Have a good one!

With love

Jane xx