The Power of Woo Hoo!
Exploring The Power.
Today I invite you to go on an adventure with me. We are going to explore the power of Woo Hoo! And what that simple 2 syllable phrase can do for our lives and those we influence.
Recently I heard a story about John, a young man who loves climbing mountains even when they are icy. He was climbing with a group of friends when the weather turned very cold and a blizzard started blowing. They set up their tents on the side of the mountain with the fierce cold and powerful wind threatening their very lives. An idea came to him that he had heard of. Woo Hoo! He shouted into the deafening wind and raised his fist in the air! His friends looked at him like he had lost it. He then went on to yell Woo-Hoo again and started pointing out all the things that were going right for them. They had shelter, they had food, and most importantly they had each other. With this perspective the atmosphere changed in the cramped tent from worry and fear to hope and resilience. They started joking and laughing. The storm lasted for a couple of days but every time they felt anxiety creeping in someone would yell Woo Hoo causing them to smile, laugh, and start looking at what they had versus what they feared or how cold they were. Rob had found a secret! He and his friends went from just surviving to thriving in the midst of life-threatening challenges.
Now this story impressed me, however, as I am not a climber and my challenges are rather mundane. I wondered how Woo Hoo could impact my life. My husband and I are building a home just outside of Sedro Woolley. We have been living in a 5th wheel for 1 year and 9 months, 2 days, 8 hours and 25 minutes… One of the least favorite chores I do is take our dirty clothes to the laundromat every 2 weeks. On this Thursday two days after hearing that story, I was hurtling the dirty clothes into piles muttering to my dogs how I hate lugging all of the heavy baskets of clothing down the steps, to my truck, then into the laundromat and dealing with machines that sometimes eat my money or refuse to clean my clothes. An idea popped in my mind… Woo Hoo! I yelled, pumping my fist in the air! Startling myself and the dogs I again yelled Woo Hoo! I get to take my clothes to a laundromat where they have machines and hot water to get the dirt out of my clothes! I don’t have to scrub them by hand! Instantly, I grinned as I felt joy and gratitude bubbling up where just seconds ago resentment and irritation were monopolizing my thoughts.
Woo Hoo changed my day! I did not go to the grocery store across the street and get a sugary sweet to numb myself from negative emotions ( yes I am a recovering sugar addict and emotional eater) instead I actually smiled and talked to other folks at the laundromat.
Woo Hoo is an easy, free and delightful way to celebrate the good in our lives. Our bodies actually release dopamine and endorphins -the chemicals responsible for happiness and motivation when we do this. A study conducted at the University of California found that people who regularly celebrate small victories experience increased well-being, lower stress levels, and more resilient mindsets. Giving another person a Woo Hoo gives them a burst of the happy neuro cocktail and creates connection. Woo Hoo is not just fun it is a great way to improve our mental health!
Now, I am not recommending a Pollyanna response to all of life. We need to nurture and comfort ourselves and others during heartache or grief. When anger gives us notice that something is not right, we should listen and evaluate what needs to be done. When fear screams, “Don’t jump off that cliff”! We might be smart to heed the caution.
What I am suggesting is let’s celebrate ourselves and each other with gusto! Let’s release our worries about uncontrollable people or circumstances! Let’s survive and THRIVE! Let us yell Woo Hoo when irritated or overwhelmed! Let’s find joy in the mundane challenges and in the scary moments! We got this! Woo Hoo!
So, to try out this new tooI invite you:
Stand up with me raise your fist and yell with all your heart “Woo Hoo”!
All the best,
Bonnie
