You know it's the absolute worst time to laugh but you just can’t help yourself.

You know that moment when you are in a serious situation at work, surrounded by serious people, discussing serious things - and suddenly something funny happens!

Now you know it would be the absolute most inappropriate time to laugh but you can’t help yourself.

A lady falls off her chair during a church service, your grandma farts while visiting a friend in the ICU ward, your niece innocently snitches her father’s bad behaviour during dinner with his conservative in-laws, or Oblivious Ollie uses an ambiguous word during the end-of-term budget meeting with the executive board of directors.

But you cannot laugh. If you allow yourself to laugh during serious moments, you may end up accidentally offending someone or being considered immature, unkempt or unprofessional. The more you try to suppress your inappropriate reflex to burst out laughing, a few bursts of giggles seep through. The more you try to suppress these giggles, the more you want to burst out laughing.

You think to yourself, surely it really isn’t THAT funny, but the mere fact that you aren’t supposed to be laughing makes you want to laugh even more. 

Sure, laughter can be good

It is said that laughter is the body’s way of releasing tension through the release of endorphins. Laughter provides calmness, sends oxygen to the brain, and has the potential to build friendships, has the power to turn stress into positive energy, reduces stomach aches, and helps with digestion.

But how do you control it?

Laughter has the potential to ridicule and embarrass. So next time you’re about to burst out at the most inopportune time, try these Steps:

A combination of techniques is often the best!

1. Think first, and then react

2. Check to see whether others are also laughing or smiling (and copy them)

3. Think of something sad or scary (and focus your feelings on these emotions instead)

4. Close your eyes (and cover them with your hands so it doesn't seem too random)

5. Breathe deeply (to stop the chuckle from escaping)

6. Pinch yourself (or bite your inner cheek or tongue)

7. Keep your mouth shut (while pushing your tongue to the roof of your mouth)

8. Don't fight the chuckle too hard (or it may just become harder to control)

9. Rather exhale and cough to diminish the sounds (because it's more polite)

10. Apologise (and continue as if nothing happened)

If all else fails, it would be wise to vacate the room so that you can burst-out in a more appropriate environment.